Guide to Cross County

2018/19

 

A heads up on this coming season’s main XC fixtures which start in September.

I hope both old and new members will take part in our upcoming XC Season, a couple of which will be held at Lloyd Park (including our very own Switchback event) . Usually all races to be run on a Saturday afternoon, with a few exceptions, and some of the races also have races for young athletes.

XC is a great team effort, usually in scenic venues and brilliant for stamina and strengthening your whole body! It’s great for marathon training, I’m pretty sure those who run XC and then do marathons will vouch for that.

Everybody’s welcome to participate, regardless of whether you score, we support each other. It would be great to see new members join us in taking part.

Club pays entry for these events but please be sure you can commit on the day as entry prices for the County or National races are considerable and have to be sent well in advance. A pair of XC spikes and/or trail shoes are usually needed for XC.

I’ve provided further details of the scoring system for the Surrey League and XC information generally which can be found on our website

This season Andy Elliott will be managing the Women’s Surrey League races, Nikki Javan the Women’s side of the Nationals, Southerns, County etc. and I will be managing the Men’s XC team.

Here they are:

The Crucial Ones!

Surrey League Men: (Contact Krzysztof Team Manager)

Competitive, but absolutely open to all, the first 10 score but it is great to have strength in numbers, everyone is welcome. Usually around the 5M mark in distance.

Oct 13 Petersham (Richmond) [Ranelagh]
Nov 10 Wimbledon [HW]
Jan 12 Mitcham [HHH]
Feb 9 Lloyd Park [Striders/Croydon Harriers]

Surrey League Women: (Contact Andy Elliott Womens Surrey League XC Manager)

Competitive, but as above everyone is welcome, works a little differently to men’s scoring.

13 October Putney Vale/Wimbledon Common
10 November Nonsuch Park, Cheam
12 January 2019 Happy Valley, Coulsdon (new course)
9 February 2019 Richmond Park, Kingston side

Our Race – The Switchback 5

Switcback Sunday 30th September 2018 10.30 am Lloyd Pk  A challenging but fun 5m race run through Lloyd Park and Addington Hills, it brings a lot of the local area clubs together and for the smallest of entry  prices you get a memento and delicious cakes at the end.

The other main races in the season: (Contact Krzysztof Men’s and Nikki Women’s)

The relay xc races

Sparrows Den Relays organised by Blackheath and Bromley 15th September 2018
Teams of 4 men and teams of 4 women 4k   Fantastic team and family event with a low key feel.

Reigate Relays Priory Park 3rd November 2018 1.30pm start
Men 4 legs x 2.5M Women 3 legs x 2.5M   In a lovely setting, short, fast team event

The local league

East Surrey League Race 1 Lloyd Park 29 September 2018
5M    Low key race, a good introduction to XC running right on your own doorstep!

East Surrey League Race 2 Venue Date TBC most likely Wimbledon Common December 2018 5M

The multi club gatherings

Who needs a tough mudder when you get one of these! Set in lovely locations, expect mud, woodland, colourful club flags, a vibrant atmosphere and lots of team tents!

London Championships 17 November 2018 Parliament Hills
Men 10k Women 6k

Surrey XC Championships 5th January 2019 Lloyd Pk
7.5M Men 5M Women

Southern Championships 26 January 2019 Venue TBC
15k Men 8k Women

National XC Championships End of February 2018 Venue and Date TBC Nothing official yet but I have heard that it is to take place in Leeds this year.
12k Men 8k Women

South of Thames Saturday 24 November, 2018, at 2.00pm
5 miles  (Venue TBC).

South of Thames Championship Saturday 15 December, 2018, at 2:00pm Beckenham Place Park or Somerset Hill in Tonbridge.
6 miles

Finale

Croydon Harriers Invitational XC Lloyd Park 6M  Usually first week in March 2018 Date TBC Low key relaxed event, men and women run together.

Details for each race will be sent out nearer the time, it would be great to see as many of you as possible attending, particularly for the crucial Surrey League Races. Andy Elliott will notify the Women on their Surrey League races and Nikki Javan the Women’s other races and me the Men’s.

If you can’t run on the day volunteering/marshalling is very welcome in our local races.

Any queries or questions you have on XC feel free to ask any time, familiarise yourself more on the website and ask any of those doing XC for information or advice. We may well have an opportunity for further questions after our next off road handicap at the beginning of September when the intention is to hold a short talk in the club house after the run.