Looking back on the rich history of the English National Cross Country Relays

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Taking place on Saturday, November 2 this year, the popular event has a long-standing history that began in 1985

This weekend marks the 38th edition of the Saucony English Cross Country Relays, an event that first took place in 1985 with only under-17 men, junior and senior men participating.

Initially held at Crystal Palace Park and returning to the same venue in 1987, the relays found a permanent home at Berry Hill Park in Mansfield in 1989.

38th Annual Cross Country Event Sees Record Participation Across All Age Groups

That same year also saw the introduction of women’s categories, expanding the participation significantly and today athletes across all age groups from under 13 through to senior men can compete.

This year, on the 38th anniversary of the event, more than 1000 teams are entered over the 10 races with 187 in the senior men’s event and 132 in the senior women’s.

Fortunately, Berry Hill Park is still available for this event, as there have been concerns about its future in recent years.

Last year, for example, building work adjacent to the old clubhouse buildings meant the course had to be altered and the organizers had to eliminate the need for slightly shorter opening laps in all races.

Cambridge & Coleridge AC won the senior men’s title in 2023, thanks to a strong performance from world cross country bronze medallist Thomas Keen, with Callum Elson finishing the race to secure the club’s first national men’s title.

Meanwhile, Belgrave Harriers triumphed in the senior women’s race, led by a strong start from Kate Axford.

University of Birmingham won the junior women’s race, while Aldershot, Farnham & District took the junior men’s title.

Paris Olympian Phoebe Gill, 17, helped St Alban’s secure victory in the under-17 women’s race, and Chelmsford AC will seek to defend their title in the under-17 men’s race after last year’s win.

With a central venue accessible to many clubs, the atmosphere promises to be exciting with smooth organization and a packed 10-race schedule.

The varied strategies used by different teams create a thrilling competition, as multiple athletes often lead throughout the various legs of the race.

Athletes will tackle the ‘tight and twisty’ course, covering laps of 2km for younger age groups and up to 5km for the senior men.

The relays also serve as a build-up to the British Athletics Cross Challenge events in Cardiff and Liverpool this November.

Athletes will be looking to qualify for the GB team for the European Cross Country Championships, with trials being held at the Liverpool event.

Timetable – Saturday, November 2
10.45 am Junior women (3×2.5km)
10.57am U17 women (3×2.5km)
11.26am U13 boys (3x2km)
11.50am U13 girls (3x2km)
12.15 pm Junior men (3x3km)
12.40pm U17 men (3x3km)
1.06pm U15 girls (3x2km)
1.30pm U15 boys (3x2km)
1.50 pm Senior women (3x3km)
2.40 pm Senior men (4x5km)

Look out for coverage of this weekend’s 2024 event on our website. You can also find all of our original coverage from the National Cross Country Relays, dating back to 1985, via the Athletics Weekly archive.

From the first issue in December 1945 to the present day, current subscribers to our magazine can access this resource for free, whereas non-subscribers can pay just £3.99 per month for full access.

Did you compete in this event and want to dig out your old results? Subscribe to our archive here.

The intensity of Hong Kong, the mountains of Alpe d’Huez, and, surprisingly, a regular wooly cap played significant preparation jobs as this season’s cross country sprinters set their year in motion at the ECCA Public Crosscountry.

Generally, the Public Crosscountry Titles happen around mid-February, however, because of the weighty precipitation we encountered recently, the race was moved to the strange opening of September. That implied for the first and most likely the main time ever it wasn’t snow, mud, and ice sprinters were stressed over, it was the intensity.

No one questioned the legacy, history, and significance of the race. Past heroes, medallists, and contenders incorporate each English genius you can imagine from Mo Farah and Paula Radcliffe to Steve Ovett and that’s just the beginning. Yet, this year everybody had to intensity to consider as well as how to plan for such an esteemed race at such an odd season. Was it worth the effort? Indeed said each sprinter. Yet, how would you prepare for such a major race at such a strange time?

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