News

Cross Country - guidance for a return to limited competition

An update from Martin Rush, Head of Coaching and Athlete Development at England Athletics:

A collaboration of England Athletics, the English Cross Country Association and other competition providers are pleased to publish the return to limited competition guidance for Cross Country. We know athletes, clubs, schools and coaches want a return to cross country competition. It has been the bedrock of endurance in Britain for well over a century. We want to encourage all competitors and organisers to enjoy and compete in cross country this winter while we are also aware that we have to keep the cross country and wider community safe.

The guidance document provides a framework for getting cross country competition back but this is in a limited way at this current point in time. The need to maintain social distancing (2m) or only spend a very limited amount of time closer together is at the heart of every sports’ guidance from road running, to football, to netball and triathlon. We have worked with Sport England and DCMS and other sports to ensure that our guidance recognises the current limitations imposed by the government restrictions with a return to activity which is so important to the sport, and wider community.

Our aim is that school children, club runners, international athletes and all who love the sport of cross country will be able to get back to limited racing and, if government guidance shifts, to the iconic scenes of the English National. We will continue to update guidance in light of the pilot events we are working on with competition providers and any change to government guidance.

Timelines
Late September to Mid-October - Pilot cross country events
3rd October - Cross Country Licensing opens
17th October - Licensed Cross Country events

Click here to access the cross country return to limited competition guidance document and associated cross country Covid-secure environment guidance document.

I look forward to seeing you at an event through this autumn or winter!

Martin Rush
Head of Coaching and Athlete Development, England Athletics

Click below to watch a video discussion on ‘A Limited Return to Cross Country’ with Martin Rush (Head of Coaching and Athlete Development, England Athletics) and Andy Heyes (GB Euro Cup 10000m representative, Yorkshire Cross Country Champion 2020 and BA Athletes Commission representative):