Wirral Athletics club has started 2022 where they left off in 2021 - with more competition success.

The Bebington club's Wirral Endurance Program arrived at Sherdley Park in St Helens on Saturday, January 8, for the Merseyside Cross Country Championships, determined to be rewarded for spending the Christmas break training throughout.

Another hard-earned silver for Wirral ACs girls U17/U20 team

Another hard-earned silver for Wirral AC's girls U17/U20 team

And for the second annual event in a row (no competition in 2021) the Wirral team took on every club in Merseyside and finished top of the table, winning six of the 10 categories outright and taking silver in the others.

Extra praise has been attributed to the senior female coaches of the program, who managed to win the Senior Women’s title despite the club's top three runners all missing the event due to international duty.

Wirral ACs under 13s look cold, but that didnt stop them taking silver in their category

Wirral AC's under 13s look cold, but that didn't stop them taking silver in their category

Coach Vicky Cowan said: “I was very proud of all our runners, but especially the brave U11s who had to face the worst of the weather with torrential rain and high winds during their race.”

Battling against one of the wettest and muddiest days ever competed on, the squads got the most of out of themselves in terrible conditions.

Despite freezing temperatures and pouring rain, the Wirral squad showed just how tough they are, as other sports across the borough were cancelled.

Wirral AC take gold in the boys under 15 category

Wirral AC take gold in the boys' under 15 category

Merseyside Crosscountry Championships - Wirral AC results

  • U11 Girls Silver
  • U11 Boys Silver
  • U13 Girls Silver
  • U13 Boys Gold
  • U15 Girls Gold
  • U15 Boys Gold
  • U17 Boys Gold
  • U17/20 Girls Silver
  • U20 Men Gold
  • Senior Women Gold

This weekend, three of the Wirral AC teams will compete in Northern indoor championships in Sheffield, before all age groups take on the Northern Cross Country Championships in Pontefract on January 29.

Ronan Kearney of the Wirral Endurance Program said: "We welcome any new runners of all ages who would like to be part of the leading program on Merseyside."

Anyone interested should email Ronan on getronan@hotmail.com