Trends in cross country participation

Evening all,

Just a wee post with a very small look at increases in participation in cross country running over the last ten or so years. 

It's been a bumper year so far for runner numbers, mostly in the number of women running, and we've only just had two events so far in the NEHL 2017-18 season.  I've taken a look at just the Wrekenton fixture, and here are the numbers of finishers recorded since 2006, so this doesn't include people who may have started but dropped out before crossing the finish line for whatever reason.

We of course saw a big jump with the addition of u11s races at Wrekenton in 2014 (we did have u11s at other fixtures from 2012 in mixed sex races), but this year we have seen a record number of both male and female runners at this event.

The biggest increase is in the ladies race, with a jump of over 100 runners this is only 4 short of the total number of all the female runners from years 2006 to 2011 combined.

It's perhaps a combination of parkrun, the Olympic London 2012 effect, and social media pushing the idea that 'This Girl Can', but I'm pleased to say that it's not just the lasses, the lads numbers are on the rise too which can only be a good thing.

I ran my first xc as an adult returning to running in 2005.  It was at Chester le Street, and I was told by Michael Bunn, that xc was mandatory as a club runner (lol), so off I trooped down the the Riverside.  No spikes (borrowed some from one of the juniors), didn't have a club vest (borrowed one from one of the senior men who had ran in it), and off I went.  I loved every minute of it, even though the vest was minging, I decided to come back again.

It's a combination of a social, a challenge, and a chance to have a bit of fun in the mud.

Hopefully every one of those extra folks who turned out at Wrekenton this season thought the same thing and decide to come back for more.

Druridge Bay round up

Hiyas,

Apologies for the lack of an update from NEHL#2 Druridge Bay, I've been on my hols, only the 3rd XC I've missed since I became ladies secretary in 2009!

Anyways, here's a rather belated well done to all, and a big thank you to Blyth RC for hosting.

Results can be found here: http://harrierleague.com/results/2017-18/Druridge/

Here are your winners:
U11g: Poppy Old, Elswick
U11b: Zac Brannon, NSP
U13g: Anya Crowder, Gateshead
U13b: Noah Curran, Gateshead
U15g: Amy, Leonard, Houghton
U15b: Peter Cook, Durham City
U17&20w: Shona Haston, Newcastle Uni
U17m: Samuel Charlton, Wallsend
Snr&Vetw: Emma Holt, Morpeth
Snr&Vetm: Luke Adams, South Shields

We've had a few queries from people regarding headphones.  This from John Stephens (Men's sec):
HEADPHONES.
Hi, we've had some reports of some runners wearing headphones during NEHL fixtures. NEHL would like to DISCOURAGE this as 1) safety issue: competition over uneven and often (ok, not so far this season) soft/muddy ground, in a handicapped event ie a lot going on around runners 2) Its a club competition and one of the reasons folks wear headphones / listen to music is motivational ie. external assistance - need to get around under your 'own steam' please! The cheers etc should be enough.

I'm aware that NEHL rules of competition don't have a statement with regard to this - probably up for discussion at next years AGM I would imagine. Also aware UKA / IAAF rules of competition only have statements with regard to T & F and Road Races, but I'd imagine they may feel that the road running guidelines would be transferable. May well contact EA and see what their opinion is.
Many thanks for the anticipated co-operation with this.

And this from Harry Matthews:
Congratulations to the 22 NEMAA members who were selected to the England Masters cross country team and reserves on Saturday for the British and Irish Masters cross country International to be held in Derry, Northern Ireland on 18th November. Thanks also to those members who were not successful on this occasion. Do try again next year for the International to be staged in Swansea. Best of luck to all those from the area who compete in Derry.

Kim and I were delighted to do our best at the selection meeting to represent the interests of our area Masters athletes who had applied to be considered for selection to the England team. Any Masters who would like to receive advice about the possibility of being selected next year please contact Kim or me via kimrunner11@hotmail.co.uk or Harryrun@talktalk.net

Top of the class

Hi folks, further to my request on Facebook for your team mug-shots, here are the Wrekenton Class of 2017 photos!  Many thanks to everyone who has sent in pics, and if there's any more to add I'll update them here.