This weekend, our local muck loving cross country junkies will lace up their spikes and get their fix of one of the sport’s most traditional types of running, something that pretty much everyone has tried (be it through choice, or as punishment at school) – the CROSS COUNTRY season continues with the Comber Cup XC!
The event will be the second race of the increasingly popular Athletics Northern Ireland Cross Country League and will be held at the Billy Neill Sports Centre near Dundonald; Ballydrain Harriers are the hosts!
The league has been instrumental in raising participation levels and interest in Cross Country running over the past number of seasons. A team element is much more important in cross country than in road running and so a winter season of cross country can play a significant part in bolstering club spirit and camaraderie and in providing a welcome alternative to road competition.
There are separate sections on the league for male and female teams and points are scored through a combination of team results and individual participation. Click HERE for more information, the full fixture list and the competition rules.
Albeit the event which will attract most attention, the Comber XC isn’t the only race happening this weekend. Locally, Murlough AC will host their GR8 Dundrum Run which will no doubt be well supported.
The extensive race programme will kick off at 12pm, with races for athletes of all ages – a timetable is available below:
Race 1 – Primary 6 & 7, Distance 1km, Start 12.00pm.
Race 2 – U13 Boys & Girls, Distance 2km, Start 12.15pm.
Race 3 – U15 Boys & Girls, Distance 3km, Start 12.30pm.
Race 4 – U18 Boys & Girls, Distance 4km, Start 1.00pm.
Race 5 – John McKeag Cup: Incorporating Female Open, Female U20s, Female Masters & Male Vets 60+, Distance 6km, Start 1.30pm.
Race 6 – Comber Cup: Incorporating Male Open, U20’s and Masters (up to Vet55), Distance 8km, Start 2.15pm.
