Cross Country

cross countryWelcome the cross country section of the club. We take part in a number of events between October and March. Results from all these events will be posted as soon as practicable.

Cross country is traditionally a team event providing healthy competition for athletes as they build endurance for the rigours of the next track and field season. These 4-8 mile off road races provide excellent training for all endurance runners. Road runners – if you can finish 10K of hills and mud then the same distance on the road should feel easier. Definitely faster!

As there is no Cambridgeshire Cross Country League we have been accepted as members of the Essex Cross Country League. A full programme of junior and senior events is run on five Saturday afternoons with the final meet in February ie before the major Championships. Participation in these meets is highly recommended as preparation for the major Championships.

For an introduction to cross country consider the mutli-terrain Frostbite Series and the Ryston Grand Prix – both run once a month on a Sunday morning.

The Essex League and Frostbite events are free to members. All you have to do is turn up in your club vest – the more the merrier. Non-running volunteers and supporters are always welcome. There is a nominal fee of £4.00 (seniors) and £2.00 (juniors) for the Ryston GP events. This can be paid on the day.

TrainCompeteYoung Athletes' AcademyHelping UsEndurance Committee

Train

Please see the Endurance Training sessions on the previous “Road running” tab – Contact [email protected]

Upcoming Cross Country Events

Compete

We compete in several competitions through the year:

U13 U15 U17 Adult >35yr
 Essex League X X X X X
 Frostbite League X X X X X
 BMAF XC Relays – November X
 Championships and Open Events X X X X X

Please click on a specific league for further details.

Contact [email protected] for information on entering

Upcoming Cross Country Events

Young Athletes’ Academy

Athletes from 11-14 years old (U13 and U15) train at the Junior Academy on Monday evenings (unless specifically invited to another session by a coach).

If you are a member and have already been through an induction, then please come to the pavilion upstairs at the track before the session starts, or come to the sports hall – unless you have been invited to a specific coaching group.

If you are not yet a member, then please email [email protected] to get on the waiting list.

Summer season (19/2/24 to 21/10/24) is the start of the Junior Academy at the track:

 Day  Group  Location  Time
 Monday  Rotation/Beginners and participative athletes  Track  6:30 pm
 Monday  Progression athletes (who’ve been invited by coaches)  Track  7:30 pm

NOTE: all athletes of both age groups should assume they are in the first session unless invited to the second session by a coach.

Winter season (from 30/10/23 to 12/2/24) will be meeting at the Sports Centre, unless invited to a track session by a coach:

 Day  Group  Location  Time
 Monday  All athletes  Sports Centre Arrive by 6:15pm, finish at 7:45pm

Please bring shoes that are sensible for running on the track AND a set of shoes specifically for indoor work – the shoes will be checked if the athletes are indoors.

Please click here for the list of Monday night Junior Academy coaches.

Helping Us

We are always in need of people to help out at Cross Country training and matches:

  • Coaches
  • Marshalls
  • Team Managers

Please see the Help Us page for more details

Endurance Committee

Chairman Chris Hurcomb
Secretary Kris Semple
Frostbite Alan Baldock and Karen Cameron
Hereward Relay Gordon Aspin
Kevin Henry Ben Meadows
Relay Team Captain – Seniors Jonathan Escalante-Phillips (and Chris Darling)
Relay Team Captain – Juniors Ric Park
Relay Team Captain – Masters Charlie Ritchie
Round Norfolk Relay Kris Semple, Charlie Ritchie
Media Nick Smallwood
Social Media Simon Warburton
Social Secretary Sarah Williams
Monday night group (Women/Beginner) Nev Hawkins
Crosscountry Ric Park
Without portfolio Ben Chamberlain
Coaching Liaison Not a committee role – Tim Phipps