INSIDE TRACK Record turnout set for cross-country opener
THE cross-country season opens with a vengeance on Saturday with the opening fixture of the Start Fitness North East Harrier League at Wrekenton.
With on-line entries now closed, backroom staff are expecting a record turnout for one of the league’s most challenging courses - though the chance of ploughing through ankle-deep mud looks like a no-no.
Saltwell Harriers again host the event and, if the hype on social media is anything to go by, then the organisers can expect a record turnout for the 10-race programme.
Now the curtain has come down on the track season, endurance athletes of all ages are eager to don their cross-country shoes in preparation for the winter.
NEHL women’s secretary Vicki Thompson will be on hand tomorrow with the rest of the committee sorting out bib numbers before taking up her results role on Saturday.
“Numbers have increased year on year and we are expecting that to carry on again this season,’’ said Thompson, who hopes to be able to tackle the senior women’s race when there is a lull in her computer duties.
“After the pleasant weather we have had recently I expect Saturday’s course to be extremely dry so we will have to wait until later in the season before we come up against any mud.
“That, however, will not stop the hundreds taking part enjoying themselves, whether they be nineyear-olds or much older. “This year we have a new course to look forward which is adjacent to Gosforth Park, although I have been told the racecourse was a regular cross-country venue many years ago.’’ After Wrekenton. the NEHL’s next fixture is at Druridge Bay on Sunday, October 7 followed by the Gosforth Park date on Saturday, October 27.
Aykley Heads is the final fixture before Christmas on Saturday, November 17 before the Sherman Cup at Temple Park slots into Saturday, January 5.
The penultimate fixture of the campaign sees the league return to Thornley Hall Farm on Saturday, January 9 then, as has been the norm, the Alnwick Castle event brings the curtain down on the season on Saturday, March 3.
Thompson added: “Again we have a good variation of courses and venues which should please most of the athletes.
“However, if it is anything like last season we did not encounter any sign of mud until after the turn of the year and it looks as though it could well be the same again.”
The opening fixture can be a bit hectic with the allocation of race numbers so team managers are asked to report early, especially as the programme timing has been changed from previous years.
Again the under-11 ‘Try CrossCountry’ events open the day’s proceedings with the boys setting off at noon followed by the girls five minutes later.
The timetable then follows on with the under-17 men at 12.10 and under-17/20 women at 12.15.
Then it is the turn of the under-15 boys at 10.20 followed by the under15 girls at 12.25.
The under-13 boys’ race is at 12.30 followed five minutes later by the under-13 girls then it is the turn of the senior women at 12.50 before the final race on the programme, the senior men, gets underway at 1.50.
Numbers have increased year on year and we are expecting that to carry on again this season