Looking back on the rich history of the English National Cross Country Relays

Taking place on Saturday November 2 this year, the popular event has a long-standing history that began in 1985

This weekend marks the 38th edition of the Saucony English Cross Country Relays, an event that first took place in 1985 with only under-17 men, junior and senior men participating.

Initially held at Crystal Palace Park and returning to the same venue in 1987, the relays found a permanent home at Berry Hill Park in Mansfield in 1989.

That same year also saw the introduction of women’s categories, expanding the participation significantly and today athletes across all age groups from under-13 through to senior men can compete.

This year, on the 38th anniversary of the event, more than 1000 teams are entered over the 10 races with 187 in the senior men’s event and 132 in the senior women’s.

AW Archive 2019

Fortunately, Berry Hill Park is still available for this event, as there have been concerns about its future in recent years.

Last year, for example, building work adjacent to the old clubhouse buildings meant the course had to be altered and the organisers had to eliminate the need for slightly shorter opening laps in all races.

Cambridge & Coleridge AC won the senior men’s title in 2023, thanks to a strong performance from world cross country bronze medallist Thomas Keen, with Callum Elson finishing the race to secure the club’s first national men’s title.

Tom Keen, Jonathan Escalante-Phillips, Jack Gray, Callum Elson (Mark Shearman)

Meanwhile, Belgrave Harriers triumphed in the senior women’s race, led by a strong start from Kate Axford.

University of Birmingham won the junior women’s race, while Aldershot, Farnham & District took the junior men’s title.

Paris Olympian Phoebe Gill, 17, helped St Alban’s secure victory in the under-17 women’s race, and Chelmsford AC will seek to defend their title in the under-17 men’s race after last year’s win.

Phoebe Gill (Mark Shearman)

With a central venue accessible to many clubs, the atmosphere promises to be exciting with smooth organisation and a packed 10-race schedule.

The varied strategies used by different teams creates a thrilling competition, as multiple athletes often lead throughout the various legs of the race.

Athletes will tackle the ‘tight and twisty’ course, covering laps of 2km for younger age groups and up to 5km for the senior men.

READ MORE: AW’s vintage coverage from 1945 to the present day

The relays also serve as a build-up to the British Athletics Cross Challenge events in Cardiff and Liverpool this November.

Athletes will be looking to book their spots on the GB team for the European Cross Country Championships, with trials being held at the Liverpool event.

Timetable – Saturday November 2
10.45am Junior women (3×2.5km)
10.57am U17 women (3×2.5km)
11.26am U13 boys (3x2km)
11.50am U13 girls (3x2km)
12.15pm Junior men (3x3km)
12.40pm U17 men (3x3km)
1.06pm U15 girls (3x2km)
1.30pm U15 boys (3x2km)
1.50pm Senior women (3x3km)
2.40pm Senior men (4x5km)

AW Archive 2014

Look out for coverage of this weekend’s 2024 event on our website. You can also find all of our original coverage from the National Cross Country Relays, dating back to 1985, via the Athletics Weekly archive.

From the first ever issue in December 1945 through to the present day, current subscribers to our magazine are able to dip into this resource for free whereas non-subscribers can pay just £3.99 per month for full access.

Did you compete in this event in the past and want to dig out your old results? Subscribe to our archive here.