Entries have closed for the first of four rounds of the Group Eleven Isle of Man Cross Country League which takes place at Port-e-Chee Meadow near Braddan Bridge on the outskirts of Douglas on Sunday 3rd November. This round is organised by Manx Harriers, with race headquarters being at Douglas Rugby Club. The first race gets underway at 1pm.
The course is largely on agricultural grassland. The main field is fast but could be muddy alongside Peel Road. The sheep fields have not had stock in them recently so the grass may be quite long.
Race numbers should be collected on Friday 1st Nov between 5.30pm and 8.00pm from Manx Harriers clubhouse at the NSC. Please note entries will not be accepted at this time, this is purely for number collection. If you cannot make it to the number collection and will be running on Sunday, please get a friend to collect your number or contact the race organisers.
If you have not yet paid for your entry by bank transfer you must pay when collecting your race number on Friday 1st Nov. Payment can be made by cash, or by cheque payable to IOM Athletics. The entry system will reopen prior to each of the following three rounds of the series for those who do not enter this time.
The course will be open from 12 noon on the Sunday for inspection. There will be an information desk available in the Rugby clubhouse for any questions to be answered from 12 noon until 12.30pm. You must be at the start line 5 minutes before the start of your race to hear the course briefing. All races will go off on time or as close as possible after the advertised time. No race will start early.
Full details of all race distances from under-nines upwards are here and course map is here. The minimum age for competitors is seven years on the day of the race.
There is a large parking area at Douglas Rugby Club which should accommodate everyone. An alternative is to park in the vicinity of the NSC and to walk up the road from Quarter Bridge. Spectators please keep off the course during the races. Douglas RUFC will be running a tuck shop in the afternoon so please do stay and make an afternoon of it. Watch the races with some exciting competition and enjoy the refreshments that will be on sale.
Thanks to Group Eleven for their continued and much valued support and sponsorship.
Timetable and approximate distances are as follows:
12 noon – Course open for inspection
1.00pm – Under 9 Boys, 900 metres (1 short lap)
1.05pm – Under 9 Girls, 900 metres (1 short lap)
1.10pm – Under 11 Boys, 1,800 metres (2 short laps)
1.20pm – Under 11 Girls, 1,800 metres (2 short laps)
1.35pm – Under 15 Boys, Under 17 Women, 3,900 metres (1 short lap, one large lap)
1.37pm – Under 13 Boys and Girls, Under 15 Girls, 3,000 metres (1 large lap)
2.10pm – Short Course, 3,000 metres (1 large lap)
2.20pm – Under 17 Men, Junior/ Senior/ Veteran Women, 6,000 metres (2 large laps)
2.20pm – Junior/ Senior/Veteran Men, 9,000 metres (3 large laps)