Cross Country
The club participates annually in the Kent Fitness Cross-Country League, a series of seven races held across the county from through the autumn/winter seasons.
The 2011/12 season starts on 23rd October at Knole Park, Sevenoaks. For race location directions, full results, reports and the latest standings please visit the Kent Fitness League page at the Canterbury Harriers website.
The events take place around various locations Kent and the majority are very pretty runs. They are generally across parkland, fields, valleys, through woodland and at one venue you are allowed to go through a water splash. At Minnis Bay we sometimes start along the beach if the tide is out and are allowed to cross the dykes if we think it is safe. Refreshments will be available at all events. Quite often we set up the Harriers gazebo if the start is a long way from the meeting point to enable your bags to be stored.
The courses are all about 5 miles long with one going up to 6 miles. They are aimed at all abilities but the fastest runners in the county are not allowed to score for their clubs and these people have already been notified. Wherever you finish you will stand a chance of getting a prize as your position will go into a draw.
You can run the races in road trainers but if the conditions are damp it is much easier in cross-trainers, off road shoes or spikes. There are no race numbers; therefore you need to wear a club vest to identify yourself as you go through the finish funnel.
We usually have a good turn-out from the club and are quite often the second or third largest club at the venue with over 30 runners.
At the club awards evening, trophies will be given to first three male & females as identified in the KFL table. There will also be awards to at least those who manage to complete all 7 events.
Our first event is at Sevenoaks on Sunday 23 rd October, where we get the opportunity to run through the pretty Knole Park watched by herds of deer. It is an undulating two lap course with some lovely long downhill stretches and a very fast finish. We park and meet at the leisure centre where Jan & I will be in the Café to meet and greet you, take your name, take your money and if you have not done KFL before, your date of birth. We will be at the finish where you need to report to us with your finish ticket to record your position.
Do come and give the events a go. They are good fun, there is an awful lot of banter between the runners and you will be running for the club.
If you want to know more, see me at the club or send me an email.
David
( David Hattersley )
Confirmed dates for the 2011/12 season
Race entry is £2 per event.
| 23rd October | Knole Park, Sevenoaks |
| 13th November | Swanley Park, Swanley |
| 27th November | Oxleas Woods, Eltham |
| 2nd January (Monday) | Avery Hill Park, Eltham |
| 8th January | Minnis Bay, Birchington |
| 15th January | Nurstead Court, Meopham |
| 19th February | Blean Woods, Rough Common |