Cross-country runs

To many people, the term "cross-country running" will induce flashbacks to school PE lessons, jogging around the back field in torrential rain while Mr Brooks stands to the side in his insulated waterproof, mug of tea in hand (just us?). In reality, this type of event is hugely enjoyable and will get your heart racing, without a PE teacher in sight. 

Cross-country runs, or XC runs, share the same mentality as trail or fell running, in that they get people into the great outdoors and you'll usually cross the finish line with a liberal splashing of mud. The difference, though, is that cross-country runs are held across open terrain without a path in sight.

Charging across open grass or dirt means that cross-country runners are usually equipped with specialist shoes, or 'spikes' - literally lightweight shoes with large spikes underneath for traction. Many cross-country runners will spend their summers competing on tracks, using the XC season as winter training, so the shoes are very similar to traditional track spikes.

Thanks to the close relationship with track running, there are cross-country leagues across the UK, which usually cover set distances - 6K for women and 8K for men, though this can vary up to 15K in some cases. You don't need to be a member of club to join, though, and there are plenty of races around that are not affiliated with a league.

Use this page to discover upcoming events! If you are interested in finding a club, just head to the 'Clubs' section of our site to discover likeminded groups near you.