September to March is the cross-country season with events at various locations around the North East and some even further afield. It’s a great opportunity for senior and junior members of all abilities to race off-road in conditions that are weather and terrain dependent to say the least! We encourage all of our members–from 9 years upwards–to take part. It’s great fun!
Taking part is easy: one of our cross-country captains will put out a notice via Spond and Facebook to all club members who’d like to register to take part in the season’s upcoming league. The club covers the cost of entry to ALL races so there is NO COST TO YOU whatsoever. All we ask is that you make the effort to attend as many fixtures as possible. The race number you’ll receive at the first league fixture is yours for the entire season. Don’t lose it because you need it to race and a replacement will cost YOU a fiver!
Most of the events take place within the North East Harrier League (NEHL). While it’s certainly competitive, there’s a place for everyone regardless of ability. All new runners start in the slow pack which gets a head start over faster runners in the medium pack who, in turn, start ahead of the very few running in the fast pack. First across the line is the winner. Runners move between the packs depending upon their previous finishing position. Every finisher can make a difference to the club’s overall standing in the competition; the more runners a club has on the start line the better its chance of improving its position in the league.
Age categories and approximate race distance
- Under 11s (1 mile)
- Under 13s; Under 15s (2 miles)
- Under 17s (3 miles )
- Under 20s; Senior and Veteran women (4 miles). Men 65+ can also run in this category if they prefer.
- Senior and Veteran men (6 miles)
Other important–non-league–fixtures are the North Eastern, Northern and National Championships as well as the Sherman Cup/Davison Shield league championship event. Once again, entry costs are covered by the club for ALL of these events.
As the season progresses, individual fixtures–league and non-league–will be promoted on Spond by a Cross-Country Captain as soon as they’re published by the organiser (they’ll also appear on this page along with the schedule of fixtures and results for the entire season).
Fixtures (2026-27)
- Saturday 26th September – Thornley Hall Farm
- Saturday 10th October – Eltringham Farm
- Saturday 24th October – Lambton Estate
- Saturday 28th November – Wrekenton
- Sunday 17th January – Rising Sun (Provisional)
- Saturday 13th February – Temple Park
- Saturday 27th February – Alnwick Castle Pastures