BOURNVILLE HARRIERS

MENS’ CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE 2009/2010

 

The time has come around to get those spikes ready for the cross country season.

 

To anyone new to Bournville Harriers, this is the 7th year that we have now competed in the Midlands Men’s’ Cross Country League and Midlands/Nationals Cross Country races. 

 

This year the men’s team is being organised by Ed Hartley and Daniel Wilson.

 

MEN'S MIDLANDS LEAGUE

 

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

 

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

 

Date

Location

24 October 2009

Senneleys Park,  Birmingham

5 December 2009

Perry Park, Birmingham (Birchfield)

16 January 2010

Coundon Park, Coventry

13 February 2010

R & N, Princethorpe College

 

Times

The mens’ races generally start at 2.30pm approx, I will confirm times, venues and provide maps closer to the date of the races.

 

Distance

The mens races are approx 10km 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)

 

Numbers

For each league race we have to enter a minimum of 6 runners, if we don’t have 6 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 1st in the race you get one point, if you come 50th 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-1st, 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:-

 

Race

Date

Location

Midland Counties

30 January 2010

Stafford Common

National Championships

27 February 2010

Roundhay Park, Leeds

County Championships (Warwickshire)

To be confirmed

To be confirmed

 

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.  

 

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 is 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 Ed or Daniel 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. The Birmingham league also has a website at http://www.birminghamccleague.co.uk/

 

Daniel Wilson and Ed Hartley

Email: mensxcountry@bournvilleharriers.org