The North Eastern Harrier League is a series of 6 cross-country races held over the winter months in various locations throughout the North East.  Blyth as a club has been taking part for many years and is doing so again this year.  There are races for all junior age groups as well as senior men and women.  As for taking part – the more the merrier, there are no entry fees as the club pays these.

Let Ralph know if you wish to be included, they are good fun.

This seasons races are:-

Sat 8th October 2011 East Cramlington Nature Reserve     REPORT                    

Sat 29th October 2011 Farringdon, Sunderland      REPORT          

Sat 26th November 2011 Shibdon Pond, Blaydon       REPORT                           

Sat 11th February 2012 Edmund Campion School, Wrekenton          

Sat 3rd March 2012 Alnwick       

Sat 24th March 2012 Prudhoe

In addition, there are also the following cross-countries:-

Sat 22nd October 2011 Temple Park, South Shields (Sherman Cup / Davison Shield)     

Sat 10th December 2011 East Cramlington Nature Reserve (North East Championships)  

North East Cross Country Harrier League 2011/12:

Under 11’s: There will be a short course of about 1000m for 9 and 10 year olds who wish to try cross country.  There will be a combined race for boys and girls that will start at approx 12:15.

Juniors: The Under 13's are usually the first race at 12:30, followed by Under 15's. There are two packs, Slow and Fast. Anyone running in their first Harrier League should start in the slow pack. Depending on number of entries, anybody finishing in the first six will be promoted into the next pack. Depending on the distance (normally about 2K), the slow pack will start off 50 - 90 seconds before the fast pack.

Senior Men: Races are generally between 5.5 and 6 miles, and start at approx 1:15pm. There are three packs, Fast, Medium and Slow. Anyone running in their first Harrier League race will start in the slow pack. Finishing in the first 30 in any league race will result in you moving up to the medium pack for the rest of the season and the whole of the following season, and you will start two and a half minutes after the slow pack. Running from the medium pack and finishing in the top 20 results in you moving up to the fast pack for the rest of the season, and the whole of the following season, starting 5 minutes after the slow pack. The first 6 Blyth members to finish the race, irrespective of which pack they started in, will count for the team.

Senior Women: Races are normally around 3 or 4 miles, and start after the Senior Men's race finishes. There are two packs, Fast and Slow, which work along similar lines to the men's. Finishing in the top 5, I think, from the slow pack will take you up into the fast pack. The first 3 Blyth members to finish the race, irrespective of which pack they started in, will count for the team.

Under 17's: Normally after the senior women and there are two packs, Slow and Fast.

Keep your number for each race.

The ladies at Temple Park 2010

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The first race in the 2011/12 Harrier X-Country League was hosted at East Cramlington Nature Reserve by Blyth Running Club.  Dave K expresses his thanks....

This is to say a huge ‘THANK YOU’ to everyone who helped to put on a really successful cross country event at East Cramlington yesterday afternoon. I was marshalling in the bowl near the finish and there was a real buzz throughout the event, and the bowl looked brilliant with all the tents and everything taped out. I had a quick look at the car park, and even that looked great. You people who looked after the traffic did a tremendous job parking up all those vehicles, and checking the area this morning, there is no damage to the ground at all. Well done!

Thanks to all who set up the course on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning and who helped dismantle the course after the event. People commented they had never run a XC event so well marked. As usual we can rely on our fantastic team of marshals to do the biz. Once again you have come in for great praise for the helpful and friendly way you do your job – Thanks Very Much! Mustn't forget Dave and Tom who cycled back and forth between the course and the football club with results, and Aynsley for making up food packs.

Also, read the report from the Evening Chronicle HERE.

Start Fitness Harrier League

2011/12