The local cross country season reaches its climax on Sunday 20th January with the fourth and final round of the Law Trust sponsored Isle of Man Cross Country League. The event also doubles as the 2019 Isle of Man Cross Country Championships, with the winners adding their names to the list of many of the greats of Manx athletics over the years.
This year’s event is hosted by Northern AC and will be held at their traditional venue of Crossags Farm in Ramsey. There is no parking at the venue itself – competitors and spectators are asked to park at Ramsey Grammar School (East or West) and walk up the lane across the golf course.
The timetable is as follows:
| 12.45pm to 2pm | Registration |
| 2.00pm | U9 boys & girls – 2 small laps – 860 metres |
| 2.10pm | U11 boys & girls – 3 small laps – 1290 metres |
| 2.25pm | U13 boys & girls & short course – 1 small lap, 1 large lap – 2600 metres |
| 2.35pm |
U15 boys & girls, U17 women – 2 large laps – 4660 metres U17 men, U20, senior, veteran women – 3 large laps – 6990 metres U20, senior, veteran men – 4 large laps – 9320 metres |
The short course race is not part of the Championships but is a round of the league as usual.
Here is a map of the course.
Please note that there is a fallen tree in the uphill wooded section of the course, which will require care to negotiate. You are advised to arrive early to allow time to check out the course before the races.
If you have already paid for the series and have your race number there is no need to attend the registration desk, just go to the start line five minutes before your race. If you have lost your number and need a replacement there will be a separate desk at registration.
Alan Corlett and Rachael Franklin have dominated the senior races at the championships in recent years, and have won all three rounds of this season’s league. Corlett, champion for the past four years, may have Ollie Lockley for competition as he did at last year’s event, and if both men line up it should be a cracking contest. The women’s race looks a little more clear-cut with Rachael Franklin hot favourite to take her sixth victory in seven years – she missed the other through injury.
The Presentation evening has been confirmed for Friday 22nd March at the Claremont Hotel in Douglas. Medals for the championships, and trophies and finishers awards for the league will be presented that evening. Save the date now!
David Griffiths