What is cross country running?

[Fresh Start]

Is it literally running in the countryside or is there more to it than that?

 

[WiltshireWonder]

My knowledge is biased because I learned about it in the USA but my understanding is that it's a form of off-road running. It's not as gnarly as trail running, surfaces are slightly smoother and they have the odd obstacle (like a bale of hay) or mud to run through. I believe you tend to run it in teams as well as opposed to as an individual. There's a whole CC series, I think. I really fancy having a go at it.

Anyone know more about it? I feel a little 'vague' here.

 

[Fresh Start]

Thanks. That sounds quite interesting. Not something I can see myself ever doing, but there is more to this running lark than meets the eye when you start delving into it.

 

[WiltshireWonder]

Thanks. That sounds quite interesting. Not something I can see myself ever doing, but there is more to this running lark than meets the eye when you start delving into it.

I think it would be really fun! Apparently it's very muddy.

 

[classic33]

Cross country running is as the name implies, across country. You'll have natural obstacles to avoid along the route, as well as man made ones(Walls and the like). Parts of a race may be on roads, or simply just crossing them. I'd view the term "road" loosely, as they can often be nothing more than farm tracks.

One from near me. Also known as a Fell Race

https://www.threepeaksrace.org/course/
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59e76692ccc5c558626080c4/t/59f79d11e4966b2de08ec903/1509399866205/raceroute25000.pdf

 

[classic33]

I think it would be really fun! Apparently it's very muddy.

You're not bothered about a bit of mud?

 

[amasidlover]

Had a chat last night with a cross-country runner - it is quite different to fell racing (which I do quite a bit of).

You have to be in a UKA affiliated club and you run for your club - because of this it generally only attracts fairly faster runners (apparently to get into the top half you have to be running sub-40 minutes for 10km IN THE MUD!!)

Its generally done in a relatively small area and round a twisty course over a number of laps; because of this the course gets churned up and very muddy.

But apparently its lots of fun, there are junior races too and its free (but you've got to be a paid-up member of a UKA club).

I plan to have a go next winter!