Winter Cross Country Races

CROSS COUNTRY

Sale Harriers cross country teams have formed the foundations of the club spanning three centuries from its original roots.

The cross country season traditionally runs from Mid - October until mid-March.    Although some people view it as split into two seasons i.e. January to the beginning of March for Championship races and culmination of the XC league. 

And then Autumn of October to December for the start of the XC League and 3 of the 5 races, as well as for 3 successive weeks, the XC Relay Championships consisting of Northern Champs, University of Manchester or GB Masters Over 35 Champs Relay and the third week is the English National XC Relay Champs and then at the end of November the UKA cross challenge incorporating the GB trials for the Euro Cross Championship. 

December is usually building to a peak of long runs, tempo and hill runs, getting onto grass and trails where possible, before sharpening the Champs.

Sale Harriers provides cross country training and races for athletes of all abilities and ages. Cross country is used by all endurance coaches to improve their athletes’ strength and endurance prior to the summer track season. But also as a foundation for road races from 5k to marathon  and beyond as well as for other off-road events such as trail, fell and mountain racing. 

However many athletes specialise in cross country running and there are lots of opportunities during the season to take part in these traditional events.

The men, women and young athlete’s teams compete in the :-

Manchester Area Cross Country  League  

https://maccl.co.uk/            https://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2025/#1  

There are at five various venues across Manchester & Cheshire, October to February  Individuals need to notify your team in advance that you want to be entered, as the club is affiliated to the league, Then simply come along with your Sale vest and pins, meet up with the Harriers Team Managers for your Series number and enjoy top racing with your teams.

This league is fo rMale and Females U11; 2.4k.  U13 3k, U15 4k & U17 6k YA races, as well as Juniors(U20) Seniors and Veterans races, 8k Women and 9.5k Men.  

At the end of the season teams and individuals plus top three, are crowned champions in their various age group categories.    Sale is the most successful club in the history of the league.

The MACCL is one of the best and largest leagues in the country, and currently the league spans five counties from Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside to Derbyshire. Plus Everyone that completes their respective race, no matter what position they finish, can score for their club or University. Overall Sale is the league’s most successful club, with a fantastic winning record in all age groups. The senior men’s and Women’s teams has the most League victories of any club, Sale  young athletes have an equally successful record.

So, if you want to run in the Seasons Manchester Area Cross Country League (MACCL) then please contact one of the following people 

• Senior and Junior (Under 20) Men and Women: Oli Higby: ochigby@gmail.com

• Junior Athletes (Under 11, 13, 15, 17): Jess Nugent: nugentjess@hotmail.com

• PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE NO ENTRIES ON THE DAY. IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY BEEN PRE-ENTERED AND INTEND TO RUN IN ONE OF THE RACES THEN YOU MUST NOTIFY ONE OF THE CLUB CONTACTS LISTED ABOVE AT LEAST ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE RACE.

Championship Races Winter to Spring

Championship events require advance entry, which is organised by the club. Entries have to be submitted weeks before the races and Sale pays the race entry fees on its athlete’s behalf as part of their Sale membership and also helps provide transport. Athletes are advised to tell their team managers that they would like to be entered for any of the events, otherwise it won’t happen.

Greater Manchester Championships, 

This is usually in December or January and currently  teams will be entered by team managers but all are welcome to run. Some clubs leave it to runners to self enter. Sale Harriers have had multiple individual and Team wins in the various age groups. Under 13 years to Seniors and Veterans. 

Northern Athletics Cross Country Championships

Traditionally at the end of January and covers clubs  from all parts of the North of England.

It has been at some iconic venues, some tough and hilly, some very muddy and some fast grass but woods, hills and mud, such as the Sale Harriers hosted 2025 event in Tatton Park.

This Championship is for Male and Females of all standards of racers. U13 3k, U15 4k & U17 W 5K or U17M  6k Young Athlete races, as well as Juniors(U20) 6k Women and 8k junior men. Seniors & Veterans, 8k Women and 12k Men.  

Overall Sale is one of the most successful clubs, with a fantastic winning record in all young age groups as well as the Junior and Senior men’s and Women’s teams .

Also the Northern Cross Country Relays Championships in Sheffield 18th Oct 2025

English National Cross Country Championships (ECCA)

Usually held in February the venue rotates between North, Midlands and South of England.. This is a major event which all Sale athletes should aim to race in.

Sale HM have a long history in the ‘National’ including team and individual medalists over the  decades, including recent years. Historically the Under 20 Men & women have probably had most success.

BRITISH MASTERS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS 

This is for Men & Women over 35, but we have not had a lot of success on a consistent basis at these, as usually they are spread around to the South East, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales etc, but we have had Individual successes.  March 2025 was in Scotland

Championship Races Autumn to Winter

NORTHERN CROSS COUNTRY RELAYS

The third week of October and usually in Graves Park, Sheffield, so on an undulating course of mainly grassland with a bit of mud in woodlands. Two miles each for Seniors and less for Young Athletes, who do well each year and are usually in the medal. The Seniors usually do well and particularly the Women, but the men not as good as some of our best runners shy away from it, which shows up dramatically as the standard continues to rise.

Umaccc. UniversityofManchester.CC. Relay 

The relays will take place on the last Saturday of October The 3km course held at Wythenshawe Sports Ground is flat and fast. Anyone is invited to the relays: Universities, Schools, Running Clubs or just simply a group of friends. 

The sponsor RonHill is kindly providing prizes to the fastest 3 teams and the 10 fastest individual legs on the day.

There are 3 race categories with the Men’s and Mixed teams consisting of 6 legs and Women doing 3.

To qualify for a Mixed team prize there must be exactly 3 Men and 3 Women per team

 Wythenshawe Sports Ground – Wythenshawe Forum, Willenhall Rd, M23 0BD

British Masters Cross Country Relay Championships

Usually at Long Eaton, Derbyshire on the last Saturday in October, on a flat 3km grass course. We have had great success in recent years particularly the Over 35’s

ECCA National Cross Country Relays

The National Cross Country Relays usually take place two weeks after the regional championships and have been held in Mansfield since 1989 for age groups: U13, U15, U17, U20, senior men and women. All short distances the longest being men’s @ 5k each and the Women’s 3k. This normally at Berry Hill Park Mansfield.

Over the years we have had great success across the age groups,men & women. Over recent years Under 20’s and Senior Women have had most success, but the Men and boys have had great historical and consistent achievements.