Race Date: Saturday 27th January 2018

For me, this event is a permanent fixture in my calendar. I think you can’t beat a good Striders away trip to a XC. Richard Pegg, wonderfully, does all the organising and all we have to do is turn up. The entries are sorted, transport is laid on, the camaraderie is superb. Why we take a 25 seater and not a full 50 seater coach still baffles me.

I’m back in training so I’m using this (and every other race it seems) as a training opportunity. My weekend starts with a 4 mile run to Hillsborough Parkrun,  Hillsborough Parkrun, a breakfast at the Riverside, a bus journey to Harewood House, a couple of hours watching some of the other XC events, a 12km race, bus back and finally a few beers in the Blake before Naomi drops in back home – cheers Nooms. A really great day.

The course itself was a 6km lap, twice, for the men and a 4km lap, twice, for the women. Discussion regarding the equality of men and women at XC was at the forefront of the conversion when discussing routes. Sign the petition here:

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/equalise-cross-country-races-for-men-and-women-in-england

The course itself I thought was the best XC course I’ve ever run. It had the trademark mud and puddles to run through, undulated nicely, but was extremely runnable in most places, with a great hidden hill at the end of each lap. It was short, sharp and pretty much unexpected.

I heard that this event was a trial run for the Nationals next year and if that is true, it’ll be a fantastic event to attend next year.

The women’s race had 435 runner including 5 Striders. Well done to you all. The women’s race was won by Mhari Maclennan of Morpeth Harriers in 30.50 and the Striders women’s team finished 35 out of 57. Pretty good performance if you ask me. Well done

Striders Results: