National Cross-Country Championship

Last Saturday marked the 126th edition of the English National Cross-Country Championship. The venue was Herrington Country Park in Sunderland, the site of a former colliery. Due to the travel involved, LBAC participation was always going to be low and so it proved with just three likely lads wearing the purple and yellow. Pete Mackrell and Chris Norman were making a weekend trip of it staying in nearby Durham, whilst Joe Hurley travelled on the day. Second claim member Simon Coombes was also staying in Durham, he would be running for Herne Hill Harriers.

On the morning of the race, the Durham contingent woke to find snow on the ground. The snow got progressively heavier and fell for much or the morning. The Southern Championship in January was postponed due to snow/ice, but Mackems are not soft southerners and there was never any doubt this event would be cancelled.

The course wasn’t particularly hilly, nor was it as long as the Southerns the previous weekend, but it was certainly harder! Different sections of the course varied between boggy, marshy, swampy, and quagmire-y. For evidence, see the picture of the winner below. Pete and Chris decided a warm up would be a waste of energy in those conditions, so didn’t bother. Joe, meanwhile, didn’t give himself the option because having driven up in the morning, he fell asleep in a pub car park and almost missed the start!

It’s fair to say the LBAC contingent weren’t really up for it, but once the race started they were different animals. Pete started quickly and when he spotted Simon in the distance, he had himself a target. Over the next mile he gradually reeled him in and went past him. On seeing Pete, Simon promptly sprinted off into the distance never to be seen again. Simon finished 271st out of the 1085 finishers, with Pete just over a minute back in 321st. Chris was a further three minutes back in 465th, whilst Joe came home in 731st.

The National attracts such a strong field that just being in the top 500 is a great achievement. Similarly, for a V50 like Joe to have a third of the finishers behind him is also impressive. However when doing the National, results aren’t really important. Most people do it because it is one of the most memorable and inspiring races to be part of. There aren’t many sports where you can take part in a national championship. Former winners include running legends Ron Hill, Dave Bedford, Brendon Foster and Paula Radcliffe, and you could easily find yourself on the start line next to a future Olympic hero!

Next year’s National will be somewhere in the Midlands so travel should be more convenient. If you’re looking for a fun day out and a memorable running experience, it is highly recommended!