CROSS COUNTRY SEASON 2009 -2010

 

The new season has already kicked off with the Cross Country team relay at Farringdon, Sunderland on 12 September. Best performance was the veteran men’s team of Terry West, Tommy Brannen, Guy Bracken and Capt VH – who strolled off with the bronze medal. NS Poly results here.

 

Fixtures for the Harrier League 2009 - 2010:

 

Sat 24th October - Sherman Cup, Temple Park, South Shields Event report and NSP results.

Sat 28th November – Farringdon, Sunderland NSP results photos on the Poly Blog

Sat 9th January - East Cramlington -Event cancelled

Sat 30th January - Town Moor, Newcastle upon Tyne NSP results photos on the Poly Blog

Sat 13th February – Edmund Campion School, Wrekenton, NSP results, more and photos on the Poly Blog

Sat 20th February - Temple Park, South Shields NSP results, photos on the Poly Blog

Sat 27th March – Prudhoe

 

North East Harrier League

 

NSP compete in the North East Harrier League – as well as other competitions during the season. The teams need as many runners to come forward as possible to present a strong effort in all competitions.

 

In last season’s Harrier League the NSP men finished 6 th in Division 2 – where we have been stuck for the last 2 years. Despite the fact that we have proven easily capable of winning outright individual events – we have been let down by low turn out in just 1 or 2 races which has undermined the promotion effort. Let’s aim to get things right this time.

 

The ladies were a creditable 5th last year in their league – despite the absences of  Heather Lambert and Lesley Miller. The ladies’ events have attracted hugely increased participation over the last year – over 90 in one event. It would be great if we could field many more new faces.

 

There are also events for juniors – and we’ve had some of our best performances from them during the last couple of years.

 

The format of the Harrier League works on the basis of  streaming – in the case of the men,  runners who finish in the top 30 being allocated to a medium and (thereafter for another top 30 finish ) fast group. In the case of the girls – for obvious reasons – there is only one ‘faster’ group. The streaming means that medium and fast people are handicapped by a delayed start to the race.

 

Scoring points is easy: the first 6 runners home will score – the exact total is dependant on the position you finish the race in relative to other competitors from other Clubs competing in our league.

 

So, get your race number from Ian Woodward and get along and enjoy the fun.

 

 

 

( * Not strictly part of the League – and so this is a ‘no handicap’  race )

 

 

Other Cross Country Events

 

Aside from the Harrier League, the following events are also in the season’s calendar :

 

Sat  12 December 2009 : North East XC Championships , Branksome School, Darlington. Results & event report

There are some photos of this event on the Poly Blog

 

Sunday    17th January 2010     : Durham Cross Country Relays. Cancelled

Saturday  23rd January 2010     : North of England XC Championships, Blackburn

Saturday  27th February 2010   : English National XC Champs Roundhay Park , Leeds

Saturday  20th March 2010       : North East Veterans XC Championships, Branksome School, Darlington. Entry deadline 13th March, no entries on the day. Entries to Ron Stewart

 

 

For those runners who like a bit more adventure ( and have never  seen Mick Golightly run before) , then there are fell races detailed on Northumberland Fell Runners web site at www.northumberlandfellrunners.org.uk

 

For even more attrition, try orienteering and check www.northern-navigators.org.uk or www.clok.org.uk