2023-2024 cross country report
By Graham Lougher
Round 1 Cornbury Park
A brand new venue for the league. Following the tradition of letting us run in places we otherwise wouldn’t be able to. I won’t dwell on the negative aspect of this venue too much, the car park! Due to a last minute car parking change, the course crossed the access road meaning very long queues to get in and out. The starts of the senior races were delayed several times, with the men’s race starting an hour late, unfortunately, meaning we all got caught in the rain. Also, this meant the women’s race ran at the same time, making for an enjoyable convergence halfway around a lap. The course was good, flowing with a steep hill at the end for the finish.
Round 2 Cirencester
It's a cross-country classic—hilly, muddy, and fun. It’s a perfect venue, apart from being miles away. I had a good run. My abiding memory of this race is Ben De Laune shouting at me to sprint as we made it to the top of the finish hill. Then, I walked down the funnel, trying to convince my stomach to behave.
Spectators at Cirencester
Round 3 Horspath
This race doubled up as the county championship. I like this course as although the hill is long, once you’ve made it to the top it’s a fun long decent the otherside. However, I would’ve taken another run up the hill rather than the bog at the finish. It was impossible to get any momentum and sapped your legs. A special shout out to Becks for a spectacular face plant.
Round 4 Cotswold Farm Park
Still a relatively new race on the calendar, but it feels like “proper cross country” it has a bit of everything. Steep hills, nice single track sections, twisty descents and mud. The teletubby land hills are fun at the end too. Though every year I wish they sent us over the small horse jumps. Really nice to have the cafe on site too! Excellent chips.
Round 5 Henley Showground
One that’s a challenge even though it’s slightly shorter. The long, flinty hill proving a real leveller. Trying to decide when it was time to walk and time to run up the hill was tough. Legs and brain having different opinions! Unfortunately didn’t see the wallabies I had seen the day before at set up. A really fun course the downhill finish welcome. Towards the finish I was coasting when I heard a rival club shouting to a teammate that “you can get him” meaning me, normally I am not very competitive, but this spurred me on to a finish sprint. (They didn’t get me)
Join us for next season!
To sum up, cross country is a fun and cheap series, it works out about £4 per race which is peanuts for a trail race. Also at a lot of the venue it is the only chance to run there. It’s also more inclusive than you might imagine. While the sharp end is very competitive, with some quick runners there are people of all abilities out having fun. Plus if it helps tempt you, this year there has been plenty of cake! If anyone fancies giving it a go, but has any questions feel free to ask or if they want someone to go with also get in touch.
