DCH Events
Club Handicap
The club runs a monthly time-trial divided into Summer and Winter series. The course for each series is different though the distance of each is roughly five kilometres. Runners start at different times according to their handicap which is calculated from previous finishing time (new runners simply estimate their time). Finishing positions gain points, with the points winner at the end of the series being awarded a prize.
Mackay Mile
The club runs an annual track event for members, called the Mackay Mile, a one-mile race for Seniors, U17 and U15 Juniors and an 800m race for U13 Juniors. Usually held in May, the event celebrates the contribution to the club of three individuals: Brian Mackay, Andy Billett and John Hampson.
External Events
Cross-Country
The North Eastern Harrier League (NEHL) is the local cross-country league for the region. The club covers the entry cost of your participation. You’ll receive a single race number which you keep for all of the fixtures throughout the season. If you lose your number YOU will need replace it at Race HQ at a cost, TO YOU, of £5. All races count towards league points for the club apart from the Sherman Cup/Davison Shield. This is a championship event in the league, for which the scoring is slightly different. League races are based on a handicap system with slow, medium and fast packs. There are also championship events outside the league itself. These include:
- Northern Athletics XC Relay Championships
- National XC Relay Championships
- North Eastern Championships
- Northern Championships
- NEMAA Championships
- National Championships
- BMAF Championships
Event dates, age group start times and league rules are available on the NEHL website. Day-to-day information is available on the NEHL Facebook page. You register for the cross-country league, and for championship events (for which the club also covers entry) via the nominated male/female cross-country representative. Juniors should contact their coach.
Track & Field
Please monitor the club’s Facebook group (members only) for the latest information on track & field meetings and how to participate. Also, talk to the track and field captains or your coach for more information. The club participates in Senior, Masters and Junior leagues within the North East and is always looking for athletes to fill the roster. Participation in events scores points for the club. It’s usual to find athletes competing (for fun!) in multiple events to help the club’s overall meeting score. If you’re a runner, why not come and try jumps and throws, or a running distance that’s not your specialism. The club also encourages members (and parents of juniors) to take up technical official roles, which supports the events and the club’s score for each meeting.
Road Races
The club runs a Grand Prix competition in both summer and winter to encourage participation in a range of nominated road races. Certain road races are also nominated as ‘club championship’ races, with trophies awarded for Senior and Veteran categories by gender. Please monitor the club’s Facebook group (members only) for the latest information about road races. Also, talk to the road race captains or your coach for more information.