If you are considering cross country with the Chasers this year, this is your sign to stop thinking, sign up and give it a try. This guide is intended to give a bit of an introduction to cross country season here at Mornington Chasers. If your question isn’t answered here, or you just want to chat more, join the cross country channel in the WhatsApp community. There are no silly questions, and we are a friendly bunch.
First, some myth busting:
Probably not true. Some of the courses earlier in the season, you could get away with regular running shoes. As the season continues and the weather gets worse, it does get a bit softer underfoot though, and it would be worth getting a pair of trail shoes or cross country spikes.
If you are using trail shoes for the whole season, make sure you get a pair with decent lugs (6mm and above). Innov-8 mudclaw are a racing style trail shoe that some people like to wear.
Most people will run the muddier races in cross country spikes. These are very minimalist shoes that you can screw in metal spikes. You can choose the length of the spike depending on how muddy the course is (we often discuss the appropriate length for the course/ conditions on WhatsApp before the race). They are reasonably cheap (compared to other running shoes) and you can pick up a pair for between £40-£60 from Sports Shoes , Start Fitness or Decathlon websites. Start Fitness is a Met League sponsor, and we get a 10% discount code.
The metal spikes/pins don’t always come with the shoes, but they are cheap and easy to fit. They come in different lengths: 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18mm. Longer spikes are for deeper mud and better grip. Buying a pair of 9mm (for firmer ground) and 12mm or 15mm (muddier/ wetter ground) at the beginning of the season is probably a good idea, as they tend to sell out towards the end – you can buy these from Start Fitness. You may also need to buy a spike key to screw the metal spikes into your shoes.
Yes, some races are muddy, but not that many! And the mud is far outweighed by the team spirit, endorphins from getting out even on a dark winter day and maybe even baked goods or a hot chocolate.
Absolutely false. There are runners of many different abilities and ages, so if you can do a Tuesday run over 8km (especially a Hampstead Heath route), you will be well able to run a cross country course. Also, this is a TEAM event. To score as a team we need a minimum number, therefore it will help the team to have the correct number, no matter what your speed!
We take part in two leagues and some non-league events throughout the season.
Often referred to as the “Met” League - 23 athletic clubs across London, Herts, Essex and Middlesex take part in 5 fixtures, on a Saturday, between October and February. Men and Women run separately, but both races are the same distance (approximately 8km). All races are trails.
There is a minimum number to score:
Therefore, turning up, whatever your speed, will likely help your team to score!!
If you are worried about doing the full 8km senior race, this season (2025/26) the Met League are trialling a mixed 4km senior race before the women’s senior and vet race. This is ideal for people who want to try cross country for the first time or are returning from injury etc.
This is a winter athletics league across North, East and Central London. It is known for being inclusive and friendly, as well as competitive, so it is a great league to try if you are new to cross country. There are usually 3 tarmac and 3 cross country races between October to February, followed by a team 3k relay in Wanstead Flats in March. Some races are 5 miles, some are 5k; some races are on the weekend, and some are on weeknights.
There are Men's and Women's A, B and Vet teams. Six people are needed to score for each team. If there are fewer than six, a “ghost runner score” gets added (the total of the runners plus one), so it REALLY helps to have a full team. Another reason to turn up, no matter what your speed - it is a team sport!
We do various non-league events throughout the season:
You are welcome to sign up to these events as well. The SEAA and National Champs require an England Athletics number so make sure you have one before signing up. If you haven’t got one, please contact the club’s membership secretary. For all the non-league races the club pays a fee for each runner so please don’t sign up unless you can make it. If you cannot make it, take your name down before the deadline on the calendar or let the cross country team know.
Go to the Mornington Chasers Calendar and click “sign up” on the events you want to run. The cross country secretaries will then register you for the event. The club pays a subscription for the leagues and a fee per entrant for the other races. This is covered by the club if you are fully paid-up member.
For the Chingford League and Met League, you get a bib on your first race of the series. Keep hold of your bib and bring it with you to each race, as you will keep the same number for the entire season.
Great! You want to find out more...
The first port of call is our WhatsApp channel. Make sure you have joined the MC WhatsApp community and select the Cross Country Channel and feel free to ask all your questions (no such thing as a stupid question!)
If you want to find out more please go to:
Home - Metropolitan Cross Country League
Chingford League – A winter athletics league for N & E London
South of England Athletics Association
English Cross Country Association
We have some lovely Mornington Chasers who very kindly give up their time to organise us and get us to the events. Meet them here:
|
|
| Left to Right: Dan, Gary, Paul, Rory, Maki, Anna and Emily | Left to Right: Rafaele, Juliette and Liz |
|
|
| Left to Right: Maki and Fiona | Left to Right: Andy, Dan L and Danny B |
