Central Athletic Club

Cross Country

2016-2017

Young Athlete

Information Guide

M: 07545 386466

The Cross Country season runs from October 2016 to February 2017. There are various competitions that the club recommends young athletes to compete in. Young athlete age groups are U11, U13, U15 and U17. The cross country age categories for this season are shown below.

Under 11 1/9/05 to 31/8/07

Under 13 1/9/03 to 31/8/05

Under 15 1/9/01 to 31/8/03

Under 17 1/9/99 to 31/8/01

The East District League is open to all young athletes including U11 age groups. From this seasonallcompetitors in the league should be members of the Scottish Athletics membership scheme. The only exceptions are athletes in the Under 11 races who are not required to be members of the membership scheme. Membership can be obtained online at

Click on sign up

Junior club member – £6 (9 -21 years old)
Family membership – £40 (2 seniors and all children under 21)

Membership lasts for 12 months. Membership is for young athletes to take part in pre entry events. Pre entry events are for U13 age groups and above.

Information

Details for each event are posted on the Central Facebook page approximately one week prior to the event. Details for pre entry events are published well in advance as there is a closing date usually two weeks before the event. In pre entry events entries are submitted by the Team manager and not by individual athletes. Late entries are not accepted.

Race Day

Cross country events involve hundreds of athletes. They are extremely busy events and it is important to arrive at the course well in advance of the race start to get registered and ensure that there is sufficient time to walk the course and warm up properly. Athletes should arrive at least 60 minutes before their race. A warm up should consist of a jog, followed by drills and strides. Make sure you are at the start line in time for your race.

Race Kit

Cross country events are not cancelled due to inclement weather. As such always race appropriately dressed for the weather. Expect to run in sunshine, rain, wind and even snow and expect to run on courses that are muddy and wet. All young athletes run in a club vest. Kit should include gloves, hat, tights and a long sleeved top. Spare dry socks are essential. Athletes should turn up to an event with a suitable warm jacket.

All courses are suited to wearing spikes. Cross country spikes come in 9mm, 12 mm and 15mm lengths. On a firm course 9mm spikes are suitable. As a rule the more muddy the course the longer the spike. A mixture of 9mm and 12mm spikes is a good combination. 15mm spikes are generally not useful for younger athletes.

It is useful to have a hot drink and food available after a race. Most events have catering facilities.

Courses

The length of a course varies for each age group. In leagues races the distances are

U11s 1550m (approximately 1 mile)

U13s 2400m

U15s 3100m

U17 Boys / Men 6000m

U17 Girls / Women3100m

Relay events are the exception where all age groups run the same distance of 2500m. The normal format for relay events is 3 runners per team U13, U15, U17 or U13, U13/U15, U15, U17

Events Calendar

EventDateLocaonEntryWho

East District Relay Championships8/10/16Livingstonvia Team ManagersU13,15,17, Sen, Mast

East District League15/10/16Srling UniTurn upU11, 13, 15, 17, Sen

Naonal Relay Championships22/0/16Cumbernauldvia Team ManagersU13,15,17, Sen, Mast

Naonal Short Course Championship5/11/16Renfrewvia Team ManagersUJ15,17, Sen

East District League19/11/16Lornshill, AlloaTurn upU11, 13, 15, 17, Sen

East District Championships 3/12/16Aberdeenvia Team ManagersU13,15,17, 20, Sen

Inter-District Championships7/1/17HolyroodDistrict SeleconU13,15,17,20, Sen

East District League14/1/17BroxburnTurn upU11, 13, 15, 17, Sen

Naonal Masters Championships28/1/17Dundeevia Team ManagersMasters

Naonal Championships25/2/17Falkirkvia Team ManagersU13,15,17,20, Sen