BOURNVILLE HARRIERS

LADIES’ CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE 2009/2010

The time has come around to get those spikes ready for the cross country season, Yipee!

To anyone new to Bournville Harriers, this is the 6^th year that we have now competed in the Midlands Ladies’ Cross Country League and Midlands/Nationals Cross Country races. 

I’m Helen and I organise the team to make sure that you all get the correct details about each race, maps etc and have cakes afterwards… We very much welcome all women to join our cross country team, particularly anybody new to cross country or new to the club.

LADIES’ MIDLANDS LEAGUE

There are four Ladies’ League races, which run on the same dates as the men’s races.  The Ladies’ League (only one division) runs alongside the Men’s Midlands Leagues (three different divisions of which Bournville Harriers are division one!!)

The dates for this season’s races are as follows:-

Times

The ladies’ races generally start at 2pm approx, I will confirm times, venues and provide maps closer to the date of the races.

Distance

The ladies races are approx 6km in distance and the terrain varies dependent on location and weather!

Cost

Bournville Harriers pays for our entry (but please let me know asap if for any reason you cannot run so we do not waste club money – thank you)

Plus £1 per race so that I can provide drinks/snacks for after the race – in other words juice and much needed chocolate bars and home made cakes! – optional

Numbers

For each league race we have to enter a minimum of 3 runners, if we don’t have 3 runners for every race then we will not get a league placing.  The league works whereby the team with the lowest number of points wins.  So, if you come 1^st in the race you get one point, if you come 50^th you get 50 points.  This means that even if you don’t finish in the first three, you still contribute to the team’s success by pushing back the position of competing runners.  There is also a vet’s team competition. So, the more runners we have the better.

Clothing

You will need a Bournville Harriers running vest to compete (available from Rachel Partridge kit officer) and you may wish to invest in some cross-country running spikes (available from local running shops such as Tri-1^st, Sutton Runner, Up and Running or online from e.g. startfitness.co.uk).  Make sure you don’t buy track spikes instead of cross country spikes!  However I have often run cross country in fell running shoes.  Do speak to me for any advice about what shoes to wear and speak to other members of the club to see what they advise…

MIDLANDS/NATIONAL/COUNTY CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

There are 3 other races that we enter which speak for themselves:-

Details of these races will be available nearer the time, but they are usually longer than league races and a real chance to have a go at racing the best in the country.  We have previously lined up at the start with Liz and Hayley Yelling!!

It is also of note that the county championship presents the opportunity to be picked to run for Warwickshire in the inter-counties cross country championship.  However for those new to cross country don’t let this scare you off, it is a great opportunity to increase your fitness from whatever level and it is extremely friendly!

Cross Country Training

Training underway at 8am, Cofton Park.  Training tends to be every Saturday throughout the season unless there is a fixture, however always check club nights and the website www.bournvilleharriers.org for further details (and directions).  Everyone is very welcome!  Please note this is an informal session not always attended by Bournville Harriers coaches and therefore is not covered by the club’s insurance.

FINALLY...

If you are interested in having a go, trying something different and having a laugh then Cross Country is for you!  Please do speak to me if you are interested in joining our team, or if you have any questions.  Please take part in what you can, there are no expectations for people to run every race ….

For future updates/information see BvH website www.bournvilleharriers.org and listen for announcements on club nights.

Helen Foot

Email: womensxcountry@bournvilleharriers.org

Telephone: 07759766209