Cross Country Calendar
The nights are drawing in, the leaves are turning brown, it’s getting colder… It can only mean one thing: the return of the cross country season!
Cross country is an excellent way to improve your strength, stamina and racing brain – all while getting gloriously muddy and taking part in some wonderful team events. What’s not to like? You don’t even have to worry about checking your watch. See our Cross Country Introduction guide for even more reasons to join in.
And if you’re thinking about it, but unsure about how you’ll get on or what shoes you need, why not join one of our friendly, no pressure taster sessions, led by experienced XC runners in the club? It’s an opportunity to try XC running in a supportive environment without the pressure of racing.
2025-26 event schedule
| Date | Event | Location |
| TBC | Striders XC taster session 1 | TBC |
| TBC | Striders XC taster session 2 | TBC |
| Sun 12 Oct | SYCAA XC League – race 1 | Clifton Park, Rotherham |
| Sat 18 Oct | Northern XC Relays | Graves Park, Sheffield |
| Sat 25 Oct | BMAF National XC Championships (ages 35+) | Long Eaton |
| Sun 26 Oct | SYCAA XC League – race 2 | Longley Park, Sheffield |
| Sat 1 Nov | National XC Relays | Berry Hill, Mansfield |
| Sun 16 Nov | SYCAA XC League – race 3 | Penistone Showground |
| Sat 13 or Sun 21 Dec (TBC) | SYCAA XC League – race 4 (and SY Championships) | Graves Park, Sheffield |
| Sat 3 Jan | Yorkshire XC Championships | Lightwater Valley, Ripon (TBC) |
| TBC | Striders XC Championships | TBC |
| Sat 24 Jan | Northern XC Championships | TBC |
| Sat 21 Feb | National XC Championships | Sedgefield, Co Durham |
| TBC | Yorkshire Vets XC Relays (35+) | TBC |
The backbone of the season is the South Yorkshire XC league. Entry is £8 for the 4 races (but numbers for these races are paid for by the club, with runners contributing £2 for each of the 4 races they miss – so if you run all 4, they are free to the runner!)
We were South Yorkshire Champions in 2019 and 2024, 2nd in 2023 and 3rd in 2021. It would be great to retain the title in 2025.
In addition to the local league, we like to get as many teams (men and women) into the local and national relays and the Yorkshire, Northern and National Championships, plus the various veteran XC events. If you’d like to take part in any of these events, please respond to the emails sent around ahead of the events. Again, the club pays for entry to all relays and championships. They are great club team events and as an added bonus you get to race alongside and watch some of the best runners in the country.