Mansfield - British Masters Cross Country Relays

(See change to proposed travel arrangements in red)

As announced at the club, the intention is to enter a variety of age group teams in the above national championship event to be held at Mansfield, Nottinghamshire on Saturday 3rd October. Having sent an M40 and a W35 team down last year, we now have a better idea of what is involved in the event and the travelling. This is good publicity for the club and this year I know of at least one other Scottish club who are sending a team (Clydesdale Harriers).

A pool of names and the team categories has to be submitted by 21st September. Could all those interested in participating, please either leave a comment on this posting or speak to me at the club (be aware that I will be away with work a lot over the coming weeks, so to be absolutely sure that I know you are interested, please leave a comment here).

As it is a championship event at which we have the potential to do well across several age groups, we will be holding a trial for the final team places to make sure that we assemble the best teams possible out of those interested. The trial event will be the Houston Road Relay, one week before the championship event.

The various teams that we could enter are:

W35+ (3 stages), W45+ (3 stages) or W55+ (3 stages)

M35+ (4 stages), M40+ (6 stages), M50+ (4 stages), M60+ (3 stages)

Each stage is 4km (2 x 2km of a mixed terrain lap, partly on grass, partly on a trail rather like Calderglen)

Unlike last year, the provisional plan is to share cars to drive down rather than taking a minibus. This will give people the flexibility to go down on Friday evening and stay in or near Mansfield or early on Saturday morning, whichever they prefer. As it is a short, sharp race, it is vital that adequate time for a proper warm up is allowed. To make the trip economical, we shall attempt to take as few cars as possible, sharing the fuel costs.

The first race is at 12:30 (W35, W45, W55, M60, M70). The second race starts at 1:30pm (M35, M40, M50). After the event there will be a choice of either driving all the way back home or stopping off for an overnight B&B at a nice country Inn we discovered on the way back last year (details to be announced).

Looking forward to an enthusiastic response.

Alan