Cross Country

CROSS-COUNTRY - A NEW SEASON TO LOOK FORWARD TO

It is with a great deal of optimism that we head into the new cross-country season. The enthusiasm, work rate and commitment of the Endurance Squad has been terrific over the summer and, as reported elsewhere, they have been reaping their rewards on the track. Four middle distance club records were broken, but the club records for those four events were broken 10 times (I think), it was hard to keep track! Our non-record breakers made good progress too, and we are looking forward to carrying all that new-found speed over the hills and across the fields.

I’m hoping that joining our hardcore of middle distance runners we can encourage, entice and cajole some of our other track and field athletes to come along and build up their stamina over the winter, to add to the speed or strength they already have. From the roadrunners it is hoped that we can encourage them to get involved so they can add some speed to their running. (The cross-country races are over shorter distances than most roadrunners are used to.)

The cross-country league fixtures have been announced (see below) and it is great to see that the distances we have to travel to get to races will be reduced this year. We compete in two cross-country leagues which are quite different in character to each other.

The Wessex League is the more local and low key of the two, and this offers a great opportunity to those taking their first steps in cross-country running. It also allows us to field our youngest athletes as there are races for the under-11s right through to the seniors. We play a significant part in hosting two of the Wessex League races, so we are looking for volunteer marshals at Canford on 30 October, and again at King’s Park on 26 February. Please contact me if you are able to help – ian@wimborne10.co.uk.

The Hampshire League allows us to pitch our runners into a higher level competition and it provides a great test for our improving squad. The first race of the season is the Hampshire League fixture in the beautiful setting of Farley Mount near Winchester. This race also forms part of the WAC roadrunners club championships and it is hoped that we will see some senior roadrunners making their cross-country debuts there, as well as those from amongst our junior ranks.

It has felt like a long wait since the end of last season … bring it on!

Ian Kennedy

Wimborne AC has long been committed to the Wessex League cross-country season, and this continues into the 2011/2012 season. We are also competing in our fourth season in the Hampshire Cross-Country League. The Hampshire League consists of a series of five races and includes some terrific venues. Hampshire League races are for those of 11 years-old upwards, right through to the seniors and veterans. Hampshire League races take place on Saturdays.

Hampshire League

Your age category is decided by your age on 31st August. You must have reached your 11th birthday to compete in the Hampshire League. 

The fixtures for 2011/2012 season, all held on Saturdays, are:

8 Oct 2011 –  Farley Mount,  Winchester                            Click Here for Report & Results
12 Nov 2011 –  Goodwood,  Chichester                             Click Here for Report & Results
3 Dec 2011 –  Popham,  near Micheldever                        Click Here for Report and Results
14 Jan 2012 –  King’s Park,  Bournemouth                        Click Here for Report and Results
11 Feb 2012 –  Hudson’s Field,  Salisbury  

Wessex League

The fixtures for the 2011/2012 season, all held on Sundays, are:

30 Oct 2011 –  Canford School,  Canford Magna              Click Here for Report & Results
27 Nov 2011 –  Hudson’s Field,  Salisbury                         Click Here for Report and Results
22 Jan 2012 –  Ham Hill, Stoke-sub-Hamden  
4 Mar 2012 –  Kingston Lacy, Nr Wimborne            (NOTE CHANGE OF DATE AND VENUE)

The League holds races for nine age-groups at each fixture. Race distances conform to the following guidelines:

Category                               Distance        
Under 11                              1500-2000
Under 13 girls                      2500-3000                  
Under 13 boys                   2500-3000                  
Under 15 girls                     3000-3500                   
Under 15 boys                    3000-3500                   
Under 17 women                4000-5000                   
Under 17 men                     4000-5000                   
Senior women                     5000-7000                   
Senior men                          8000-10000                

Each meeting commences with the races for Senior athletes. Where courses and athlete numbers permit, age-categories may be combined to increase competition. The order and approximate race timetable is as follows:

12:00         SM, including U20M, M40, M45, M50, M60
                   SW, including U20W, W40, W45, W50, U17M + U17W
                   (all the above start together with the men from U20 upwards doing a longer distance)
12:50         U11G + U11B
13:00         U13G
13:10         U13B + U15G
13:20         U15B

Your age category is decided by your age on 31st August.
 

Other Races

10 Dec 2011  Dorset County XC Championships, Ferndown       Click Here for Report and Results

8 Jan 2012    South-West XC Championships, Bicton                   Click Here for Report and Results

28 Jan 2012  South of England XC Champ's, Stanmer Park         Click Here for Report and Results

 

If you would like any further information about the cross-country season contact Ian on 01202-577081 or ian@wimborne10.co.uk

Click Here for WAC Cross-Country Reports for 2010 - 2011

Click Here for WAC Cross-Country Reports for 2009 - 2010

Click Here for WAC Cross-Country Reports for 2008 - 2009

Click here for WAC Cross-Country Awards for 2011

Click here for WAC Cross-Country Awards for 2010

Click Here for WAC Cross-Country Awards for 2009

Click Here for WAC Cross-Country Awards for 2008

When competing in cross-country races it is important to walk the course in advance – give yourself enough time to do this. The races are marshalled but it is important to know where you will be going. It will also allow you to recognize any potential hazards or places where overtaking opportunities may be limited – this information can be used to your advantage during the race.

Walk the course in a pair of old trainers so that the shoes you will be using during the race will be dry and mud free on the start line. Most cross-country races are best run in cross-country studs or spikes (either 9, 12 or 15mm depending on conditions). Note that for cross-country training sessions at QE on Saturdays we ask that you wear multi-terrain or training shoes as there may be sections of hard surface (tarmac/gravel) to be negotiated during the session (see below).

It is always a good idea to take a change of kit, the cross-country races do not always have changing rooms but there are always toilet facilities. It is not much fun going home from a meeting in mud-splattered wet kit.

If you require help with transport to the venue contact Ian Kennedy on ian@Wimborne10.co.uk or 01202-577081.