Yesterday the National Novice Cross-country was run - one of the most competitive events in the country with runners from all counties competing for the coveted title which most great runners only get one or two shots at in a career.
We obviously did not have anyone running in the race, although I was personally invested as my colleague (and first athlete) was competing in it. I also received an email from Moira Aston of Athletics Ireland detailing the requirements for being eligible to run in the 'Novice'.
This will only become relevant again for club members in the Autumn of 2015. Cross-country is the oldest, and perhaps the noblest, of the running disciplines and one of the most competitive arenas because it brings together road, mountain and track runners in one place. However, don't be discouraged - the cross-country system was setup to 'ease people in' starting with the 'Novices'.
So next year if you fancy a go, the first port of call will be the Wicklow Novice cross-country. To be eligible you'd need to fulfil these criteria:
We obviously did not have anyone running in the race, although I was personally invested as my colleague (and first athlete) was competing in it. I also received an email from Moira Aston of Athletics Ireland detailing the requirements for being eligible to run in the 'Novice'.
This will only become relevant again for club members in the Autumn of 2015. Cross-country is the oldest, and perhaps the noblest, of the running disciplines and one of the most competitive arenas because it brings together road, mountain and track runners in one place. However, don't be discouraged - the cross-country system was setup to 'ease people in' starting with the 'Novices'.
So next year if you fancy a go, the first port of call will be the Wicklow Novice cross-country. To be eligible you'd need to fulfil these criteria:
Eligibility criteria for the Novice Cross-country
NOVICE
1. Novice athletes must be 19years of age or over on the 31stDecember in the year of competition
2. An athlete who has never been an individual medal winner or a scoring member of the winning club or county team at the National Novice Championships.
3. An athlete who has never been an individual medal winner or a scoring member of the winning club or county team at National Intermediate Championships
4. An athlete who has never been an individual medal winner or a scoring member of the winning club or county team at National Senior Grade A Championship.
5. An athlete who has never been an individual medal winner at National level in any senior track indoor or outdoor at 1500m and upwards.
6. An athlete who has never been an individual medal winner at National level in road event at 1500m and upwards, or
7. An athlete who is a scoring member of the winning club or county team at National Senior Grade A, Road, Cross Country or Track Championships
8. An athlete who has never represented Ireland at any IAAF or EAA Senior International Championship.
9. Status of an athlete will not be altered during a cross country season (September to April) other than in the case of an individual win
In short if you've won any major medal you wouldn't be eligible and the moment you win a medal at Novice level you cannot compete in the following year, at that level, but need to move on to the Intermediate and the Senior level.
Why run cross-country?
As we get into the summer I will be circulating an email to see who is interested in representing Glendalough AC at the Wicklow Novice cross-country which is likely to be held on the great course in Avondale. Cross-country is the best discipline in which to learn 'racing skills' - such as overtaking, when to keep up, when to make a break, when to stay with a group and how to react to other runners putting pressure on as well as how to pace yourself over an uneven course. These skills make you a lot sharper whether you normally prefer to run road or mountains.
In the meantime, just put it in the back of your mind :)
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