Cross Country
Cross country, the very words can strike fear into any man or woman if your school day memories are of being forced to run around fields, driven on by the none to pleasant shouting of the PE teacher. Fast forward to today and cross country can actually be a pleasant experience of jumping over puddles and mud patches, and running up grassy banks and around leafy parkland. Cross country also makes a fantastic alternative to the relentless pounding of tarmac that constitutes most runners lives.
So what can you expect?
What races does the club compete in?
The club pays to enter the following races which are open to all members
The Metropolitan Cross Country League 2009-2010
| Rusilip | 10 October 2009 |
| Claybury (Woodford) | 07 November 2009 |
| Wormwood Scrubs | 28 November 2009 |
| Stevenage | 16 January 2010 |
| Horsenden Hill, Perivale | 13 February 2010 |
Men run 8k and women run 6k. The races are on a Saturday afternoon with arrival at 1:30 pm. We need as many club members to turn up as possible. We always try to go for food and drink after each race.
SEAA London Cross Country Championships
| Parliament Hill | 21 November 2009 |
This race is on a Saturday with the women running at 13:10 and men at 14:00.
Is it difficult?
Like all races, it’s not easy but it is not just about physical endurance, it is about having the mental strength to keep running.
How good are the other runners?
There are various levels in terms of competitors from enthusiastic amateurs to semi-elite athletes.
What are the courses like?
Courses are varied and testing, comprising of both flat and hill stretches. The softer ground underfoot means that ankles and knees take less of a battering but the very nature of the course means that rain can make the going a lot more difficult than would otherwise be the case. In some cases expect to be slip-sliding through mud.
Is it an individual sport?
Cross country is not really an individual sport. To some extent, cross country runners do continually strive to beat their own records, but that is not all they do. In a race, cross country becomes a team sport. People are not only concerned about their own place, but also how the rest of their team will fare.
What are the rules of cross country racing?
The rules of cross country racing are fairly simple and yet allow for some interesting strategy. Some of the more obvious rules include no hurting other runners, and running along the course. These rules are obvious, but the scoring system is not. Points are assigned by the place in which a runner finishes, so if a person finishes first one point is given and if a runner finishes thirty first, thirty one points are given. The points of the race are then subtracted from the total number of runners to give a score. While each cross country team is composed of six women runners and twelve male runners, the position of any additional runners help to boost the team’s result.
What distance are the races?
There is no specific distance involved with cross country running. However, common distances which the Metropolitan league feature are the 6k (3.5mile) for women, and the 8k (5mile) for men.
What equipment will I need?
The basic equipment necessary for a cross country race are similar to every other race (a pair of running shoes, a pair of shorts, and a vest). Runners may wish to improve their running performance by buying cross country spikes, which offer better traction and are much lighter. These can often dramatically improve times. The metal spikes come in varying lengths, which can be used dependent on the conditions of the course.
Where do I find out more information?
You can contact:
Stephen Wicks (race secretary)
Miriam Valencia (female captain)
James Gillanders (male captain) for further info.
