Race Date: Saturday 3rd January 2026
Race report by Rob Cook.
In September I’d entered the Winter Edition of the Round Sheffield Run having seen it was the 10th January. This was on the basis that it would, for once, not clash with the Yorkshire Country Championships as traditionally County Cross Country Champs are the first weekend in January. So, when the Yorkshire’s were scheduled for the 10th, a plan was hatched to solo the Staffordshire on the 3rd instead. (Editor: Eligible through county of birth.)
The course at Betley Court Farm, just off the M6 between Stoke and Crewe, may be familiar to some of our veteran athletes, having been used for the England Vet trials earlier in the season. Officially 10,000m, it’s a three lap rolling course that reminded me of Penistone, with about half the elevation. The freezing weather had fortunately not frozen the ground solid, but had locked in some of the ruts and bobbles so a lot of the course was single track down the flattened paths for the fastest route.
Rob Cook in a small bunch with the famous green and white hoops of Tipton Harriers to the fore. (Photo Bryan Dale)
The freezing conditions were mitigated by some lovely sunshine in the race. Not having a frame of reference but feeling strong I set out a bit too fast for the first mile but then had some good racing with the others around 20th position throughout the race and finished in 22nd. This was also 9th V35-V45 but, taking the line of one of the club’s coaches, I’m not counting that as a ‘real’ vet placing!
I had never raced this course in my junior days with Stoke AC (Editor: Rob set some tasty pb’s on the track back then) but it was a nice to see some familiar coaches, faces and vests out on the course. The field wasn’t as packed as Yorkshire but had some high quality in it, the winner Lee Gratton finished 10th at the National and 12th at the Inter Counties last year, and I was very happy to be 22nd which I believe is my highest placing in a senior XC race!
Second lap and the field has thinned out a little. (Photo Bryan Dale)
First, Lee Gratton (Rugeley) 31:02 is also an M35. There were 73 finishers in the men’s event with 53 in the women’s race. In comparison, the Yorkshire’s had 163 and 82 finishers last year.
| Pos | Name | Cat | Time |
| 22 | Robert Cook | M35 | 35:31 |
Link to full results Staffordshire Cross Country Championships 2026. Staffordshire is another county that includes veterans competition in its championships.