The Club encourages all ages of track athletes to have a go at cross country. This is an excellent way of keeping fit during the winter even if like the website editor you are never in danger of winning more than the wooden spoon.
We are members of two cross country leagues: the Mid Lancs http://www.midlancs.org.uk/and the Red Rose http://www.redrosecrosscountry.co.uk/. Historically more club members compete at the Mid Lancs but new runners may prefer the lower profile Red Rose league to start with and they are more local. There is no pre entry for either league – just turn up on the day and find other club members and officials. Do talk to your coach for more details.
As we have not been able to use the track due to resurfacing, athletes will not have received a cross country fixture list and details of the two leagues in which we compete. A copy is available on our website, www.pendleac.org.uk – in Competition Calendar
Any U11 athlete who wishes to compete in the Red Rose League must be 8 years old on the day of the race. The U11 age group is part of the league and is therefore eligible for awards at the end of the season. Athletes competing must wear a club vest. We do have a small number of vests to lend on the day but it is much better if athletes purchase their own vest.
Presently, we have vests missing from the stock we loan for the day because athletes who have borrowed vests have not returned them. Please can athletes return these vests as soon as possible to their coach.
In the Mid Lancs League the U11 races are used as an introduction to cross country and athletes are not eligible for awards at the end of the season. There is not an 8 year old restriction and Dawn, who organizes the league is happy for younger athletes to run if parents feel their child will enjoy the run (see your child’s coach if you are uncertain). Under 11 athletes do not have to wear a club vest but if there are any spare from our ‘loan stock’ they can borrow one. Alternatively, they can also purchase their own club vest. See Daemon down at the track.
If you look at the fixture there are a few races that entail little travel – Mid Lancs at Towneley Park, Burnley and Wilson Playing Fields, Hyndburn and a Red Rose race at Rossendale. These races give a good introduction to cross country. The U11 races are the first races of the day so you will have the option to either go after your race or perhaps stay and watch older athletes from the club compete.
Key dates are:
Cross Country fixtures 2013/2014
Sat | 28 Sep | Red Rose | Leigh Sports Village |
Sat | 5 Oct | Northern XC Relays | Graves Park Sheffield |
Sat | 19 Oct | Red Rose | Chorley |
Sat | 26 Oct | Mid Lancs League | Towneley Park Burnley |
Sat | 2 Nov | ECCA XC Relay Champs | Mansfield |
Sat | 9 Nov | Red Rose | Bolton |
Sat | 23 Nov | Mid Lancs League | Sefton Park Liverpool |
Sat | 7 Dec | Red Rose | Rossendale |
Sat | 14 Dec | Mid Lancs League | Hyndburn |
Sat | 4 Jan | Lancashire Champs | Blackburn |
Sat | 11 Jan | Mid-Lancs League | Thornecliffe, Barrow in Furness |
Sat | 25 Jan | Northern Champs | Knowsley Safari Park |
Sat | 1 Feb | Lancashire Schools’ XC Champs | Blackburn |
Sat | 8 Feb | Mid-Lancs League | Lancaster University |
Sat | 22 Feb | National XC Championships | Wollaton Park Nottingham |
Sat | 1 Mar | Mid-Lancs League | Crooklands, Kendal |
Sat | 8 Mar | Inter Counties Championships | Cofton Patk Birmingham |
Sat | 15 Mar | English Schools’ Champs | Castle Donnington |