Your Guide to Cross Country Season
Once the LRRL finishes at the end of the summer, our focus, when it comes to mass club participation, firmly shifts to the winter’s schedule of cross country races. On this page you will find a guide to which races the club takes part in and how you can get involved.
Leagues
The Derby Runner Cross Country League
This league is the club’s primary focus with regards to members’ attendance and participation.
These races are closed events, meaning only members of affiliated clubs can take part, so runners must wear club kit. Your ability to enter these races can therefore be considered one of the main benefits of your membership.
Entry for each race is £3 to £6. There are no advance entries, you can simply turn up on the day.
Races typically start 11:00 and are roughly 5-7 miles in length.
As far as the competition goes, the men need eight runners to score, and the ladies need four. As competitive as the events can be, the atmosphere is supremely low-key and friendly.
While the courses can be quite muddy and hilly, with the occasional water obstacle or snowstorm, the challenging nature of the event is more than matched by the cakes and treats brought along to enjoy at the finish.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re liable to finish first or last, whether you’re a veteran or you’ve never done a cross country before, your participation is equally vital, meaningful and appreciated.
And while you can score on an individual basis throughout the league, there is no pressure or requirement for you to try and do all the races on an ‘all or nothing’ basis. This applies to all leagues and events outlined on this page.
Come along to as many as you would like to.
The North Midlands Cross Country League
Consists of four races throughout the season; the good news is that entry to all races is completely free to members. As with the Derby Runner League, all you need to do is turn up, no sign up required. Races take place on a Saturday and start later in the day than most races, typically after 1:30 pm. It should also be noted that the women’s race is controversially shorter (~6km) than the men’s (10km).
Five men and three women are needed to score for the team.
The races in this league are considered slightly more technical and are known to attract a more competitive field, but the club encourages all its members to take part in order to gain new experiences and challenge themselves. The races are also a little further away than usual so the more people available to share transport the better.
National Championships
In addition to the league races, there are one-off, high profile championship events on the calendar that the club, being affiliated to England Athletics, has the privilege of entering. The club pays your entry to these events, so you just need to turn up.
However competitive the field may be, it is a memorable experience for any and all to attend. While your finishing position may take a hit from what it usually might be and the course is somehow that extra bit muddier than you thought a XC could be, participation at these prestigious events can give you that unique sense of pride that you can only get from representing your club at a championship event.
The events are split by local area and the athletics bodies that represent such areas, progressing from the…
1: County Championships – in our case the LRAA (Leicester & Rutland Athletics Association)
2: Area Championships – in our case the MCAA (Midland Counties Athletics Association)
3: National Championships (run by the ECCA, The English Cross Country Association)
Calendar
What you need for cross country season
Shoes
When it comes to footwear, you essentially have two options…Spikes or trail / fell running shoes
Each has their place with advantages and disadvantages
Trail or Fell Running Shoes
Trail shoes are considered the more versatile option when it comes to navigating off road sections. They are designed to be robust, have deep studs for grip, and be flexible.
The main difference between trail shoes and road shoes is that trail shoes will have a lot less support, as cushioning is traded for grip.
It should be noted that for this article, trail and fell running shoes have been lumped together for simplicity. In actual fact, fell running shoes will have more grip with less support – designed for more muddier and slippier courses, whereas trail shoes will be closer to road shoes, with more support for courses featuring stretches of gravel, road or tarmac.
The reality is though that the increased popularity of off-road running means there is a large choice of shoes available with many different levels of support and grip.
And while you can score on an individual basis throughout the league, there is no pressure or requirement for you to try and do all the races on an ‘all or nothing’ basis. This applies to all leagues and events outlined on this page.
Come along to as many as you would like to.
Spikes
Spikes are made to be extremely light, have a tighter fit and give you the most traction and grip, particularly on muddy and grassy courses.
Because the spikes can be screwed on and off, spike shoes can be fitted with different length spikes to suit the course. Longer spikes, 12mm or more, can be used for more grip on muddier, slippier courses, whereas shorter spikes, 6mm or less, can be used when the ground is harder or firmer. A middle ground of 9-12mm will suit most courses.
Replacement or spare spikes are typically inexpensive. A set usually only costs a few pounds.
It should be noted that a lot of spike shoes are marketed as dual purpose, meaning they can be used on the track with track spikes.
The downside of this boost to performance is that they put more strain on your feet, especially the Achilles and calves.
For this reason, spikes should be saved for use on race days.
If you are new to running it is recommended to take the safer option of lightweight trail shoes until you have developed some strength in your feet and lower legs before rushing into using spikes.
It should probably go without saying that spikes aren’t ideal for any course which features a significant amount of tarmac, gravel or hard trail!
Other clothes…
Now, for a lot of people, running will generate enough heat that running in anything but the bare essentials of a top/vest and shorts will cause overheating, no matter the weather. If this applies to you then this something you already know… or something you will find out soon enough!
However, if you are worried about the weather here are some general tips…
Hats and Gloves
You will generally lose most of your body heat through the top of your head, meaning a light running hat or headband could be useful. Combine this with the fact that your fingers will feel the cold first, an addition of lightweight gloves will result in the best chance of being comfortable in your normal race day clothes during bad weather.
Beyond this, the following items may come in handy if you’re still worried about running in the cold and wet.
Thermal running top – Keeps body heat in but wicks sweat, preventing you from being ‘hot and sweaty’
Waterproof jacket – If it is really hammering it down then a lightweight, foldable waterproof jacket may just come in handy for moral and spiritual support more than anything else!
Socks
Just don’t wear white!
Become a Member
Come along for a run or find out more about becoming a member