ARC Cross Country Teams
Teams from ARC compete in the Birmingham and District Invitation Country League (men) and the Midland Women’s Cross Country league. Although the 2019-20 season is now at an end it's not too late to think about joining us next season. Have a look at the video of the relays to get a feel of the fun and challenge you might have.
Team results for 2019-20: men, women Congratulations to the men's team who worked extremely hard to come 2nd overall in their league in the 2019-20 season, thereby gaining promotion to Division 2 for the coming season. Special congratulations to Liam Harrold who was 6th overall in the individual placings, also to Toby Oury (11th), Adam Smith (12th), Dan Williams (21st) and Mark Shaw (36th). The women's team finished 10th in the league and 6th in the Masters' league, with Karen Kiteley 25th overall and Helen Beecham 33rd in the season's Masters' competition. The women's league was in danger of not having a fourth league event in 2019-20, due to the original arrangement falling through late in the day but thanks to the wonderful support of many members Aldridge RC managed to host this event at Aldridge Airport, which was a tough course but a successful event. This demonstrated what ARC is all about and the cross-country team thank all those who were involved in any way, especially Karen Waple, Simon Hudson and Tony Baker, who did the majority of the work behind the scenes in the months leading up to the event. Interested? There are four league events each season – November, December, January and February. Additionally there are relays, a 5 (ladies) and 7 (men) mile race and Midland area championships which we can enter if there is sufficient interest. If the National championships are in our region we also like to enter these. Any ARC member is welcome to join in – our teams are mixed from all ages and abilities. Eligibility criteria are:
The courses usually consist of laps of (very) approximately 2 miles long, with women running two and men three laps (official distances are 6k for women and 10k for men, with championships 8k and 12k). Team results are calculated using the first six members’ times (men) or the first four members’ times (women). The women's Masters' team (> 35s) uses the first three members' times. Most members meet at the Stick & Wicket and travel together. |
Events 2020-21Update, June 2020:
In view of the uncertainty of when events may be allowed to take place it has been decided that the 2020-21 season will not start until January 2021. If the situation becomes clearer and it looks like races will start earlier, the league will look to reinstate the December race if host clubs can be found. The situation regarding relays and the 5/7 mile event has not been specifically clarified but it is doubtful that these will go ahead. All League matches: Women: 1.30pm start Men: 2.30pm start Midland Cross-country Relays TBC British Masters Open Relay Championships 24 October 2020 West Park Long Eaton TBC Midland Counties' 5/7 mile November 2020 TBC League: 5 December 2020 Currently cancelled, may be reinstated - see update above League (1): 16 January 2021 Venue TBC Midland Cross-Country Championships Venue and date TBC League (2): 13 February 2021 Venue TBC League (3): 13 March 2021 Venue TBC National cross country championships Venue and date TBC 
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Team captains are Simon Hudson (men) and Anne Kelsall (women). Contact us if you’d like to join in the fun.
As well as the cross-country events we take part in the Midland Road Relays in Sutton Park, where there are 6- (men) and 4- (women) stage relays in the Autumn (all legs 4.3k) and 12- (men) and 6- (women) stage relays in the Spring (mixture of 5 and 8.6k legs). There is also a Midland Masters Relay (age 35+) competition in May, with 3 mile legs. All these relays take place locally, in Sutton Park.
As well as the cross-country events we take part in the Midland Road Relays in Sutton Park, where there are 6- (men) and 4- (women) stage relays in the Autumn (all legs 4.3k) and 12- (men) and 6- (women) stage relays in the Spring (mixture of 5 and 8.6k legs). There is also a Midland Masters Relay (age 35+) competition in May, with 3 mile legs. All these relays take place locally, in Sutton Park.