25/26 SEASON

 Events for 25/26 Season

Remember: if you have registered for all races in advance, you need to re-use the same number at each race.  Please remember to bring it with you.  Those registering on the day will be given a new number for each race.

CAR SHARE IS ESSENTIAL AS AT MOST EVENTS PARKING IS LIMITED

Cross country conditions
Please note on a cross country race you can expect to encounter mud, roots and uneven ground.  It is recommended to wear trail shoes or cross country spikes.

Timing and distance
The senior race is at 10.30am and each race is about 5 miles. 
There will be junior races at all events:
 - 9:50am U15 and U17 2 to 2.50 miles.
 - 9:55am U11 and U13 run 1 to 1.25 miles

Can all Juniors be at the start line by 9:50am to hear any briefings but can the U11 and U13 runners please wait until the U15/U17 runners have started before line up on the start line.  

Please note the slightly earlier times for the junior races compared to 21/22 (when it was 10:00am for all age categories) and also split start time (which was trialled at some races in 21/22)

The course descriptions above are for the senior race. 

For some venues the same course is used for all junior categories with U13/U15 running one lap and U15/U17 two laps.  

Scoring
For both Seniors and juniors there are individual awards awarded at the last race: for seniors in 5 year age brackets (35 to 70 for men and women: note brackets form 22/23 start at 35 rather than 40) and for juniors each age bracket (boy and girl), for all awards based on best 4 results for the season.   You must complete a minimum of 4 races to qualify for an individual award

Junior categories are you age on 31 August, Senior at date of first race.  

Team scores are based on 12 men and 8 ladies in various age categories, please see rules page for full details.  You do not need to complete 4 races to be part of the team score: the team score is determined separately for each race.

Entry
For seniors if you have not pre-entered all races before the start of the season (£10 for all 6 races: advance entry only available to members of participating clubs who are UK A registered as listed on the clubs page) you can enter on the day for £5.00 (plus additional charge of £2 for insurance if you are not a member of an England Athletics affiliated club).  There are not advance entries for individual races.  Entry on the day is open to all. 

There is no charge for juniors if they are members of an affiliated club or under age 13: charge of £2 for insurance if you are not a member of an England Athletics affiliated club and age 13 or over.  If you are entering on the day you must be in the entry queue no later than 30 minutes before the start of your race.  Whilst there is no charge for juniors who are members of an affiliated club it is encouraged that they are entered in advance so they do not need to queue for a number at each event.

Please see Rules tab for further information on entry and on Team and Individual results.

Locations:

Each year 6 races are selected so not all of the below locations will apply to the current season

Blackcap Lewes: Car parking is at County Hall car park, St Anne's Crescent, Lewes, BN7 1UE.  It is a 10 minute walk from County Hall to the start which is at The Gallups, Lewes BN7 1LR (strictly no vehicle access to the start other than official cars).  Nearest toilets are public conveniences next to the Black Horse pub BN7 1RS next to traffic lights between Western Road and St Anne's Crescent. 

Seaford Head: new course

Snape Wood, Wadhurst: Free Parking at Uplands Community School/surrounding area, TN5 6AZ (grid ref. 641317).  Registration is close to the start/finish in Snape Wood which is about 1 mile from the parking.  To walk jog to the start from School turn right onto the B2099 (Ticehurst Road), take first right into Brinker’s Lane. At the T junction turn right (still Brinker’s Lane) and continue down the hill and the Snape Wood entrance is ½ mile on the right. A track leads to the start and is parallel to the railway line.  Allow sufficient time to get to the start.  Hilly 2 lap course. Usually muddy Suitable for spikes but there are some gravel sections. 

Whitbread Hollow: West end of Eastbourne Seafront.  There is a path to the left, heading in the direction of the sea, by the cafe, after Bedes School at the end of the seafront which take you to the start.  Start and finish located in Whitbread Hollow. 

3 lap route undulating route in the Hollow.  Some gravelly sections

Beachy head route: the course will rise up to the top of the South Downs before descending for a final lap of the Hollow. Undulating Downland with a challenging uphill and steep downhill section; tends to not be muddy but chalk based so can be slippery. The course is suitable for spikes, but access to the start is along a tarmac and gravel path so a change of footwear should be considered.