Update on XC Season – Joe’s Rallying Call

CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUES

The Cross Country season is almost on us again, the first round of League fixtures is on our doorstep, in Comber, on 14 October and following the review of the League structure and amendment of the rules I am more than optimistic that we in East Down AC are well equipped to make a significant mark in both the Men’s and Women’s Leagues this year. Up to now scoring and prizes have been for teams down to 6th place but in an attempt to

make the league meaningful to all teams, especially after Christmas when often the prize winning positions are  pretty well already settled, the ANI RR & X/C Committee has decided on the changes outlined in the next paragraph. I reckon that EDAC is well capable of a top 3 place in both Leagues but should be certainties to make the top 8.

POINTS AWARDS

Under the new rules teams will be awarded points depending on the finishing position of their first 4 runners, with place points awarded down to 8th place. In addition teams will be awarded a point for each finisher, up to a maximum of 16, so that even if we’re not in the top 8 placed teams but have a full turnout we’ll get 16 points. So every runner will count and if there are more than 16 from the Club then keep on running as you never know when a team mate has to drop out.

OVER 16’s?

I believe we have potentially sufficient members to ensure that we have 16 out in every round and enough to ensure that it doesn’t have to be the same 16 every week. No-one should feel under pressure to be there every week. We could possibly even have a rota?

OVER AGED

This applies to both Males and Females. In the Men’s League I am quite happy to be No. 16 if needed, to make up the numbers.  As you’ll see at most meetings the Over 60s Men get to run with the Women, because it’s a shorter race and the organisers don’t want to be out after dark with torches looking for some old geezer like me who hasn’t finished the open race, long after everyone else has gone home! I don’t particularly want to have to run 2 miles extra anyway but if we can get the other 15 and I’m about I’ll happily trudge the extra miles for the point. On the subject of which almost all the cross country races, except for the Senior C/ships, are only 4/5 miles distance, some even shorter, so everyone can do them.

And they’re great fun too!

TRANSPORT?

Also if sufficient numbers warrant it we could arrange transport to and from the venues, particularly those in far flung places like Derry and Cookstown.

Anyway I know that Alison and Stephen have been coaxing and encouraging you all to give it a go and I firmly believe we (EDAC) can make a huge statement of our well being this Winter.

MEMBERSHIP FEES

The purpose of this note is to point out that to take part as a Club runner, you must be a paid up member and Registered with ANI.

So if you haven’t already done it please pay your membership fee now and we’ll ensure that you are registered before the cross country league begins in Comber on 14 October.

Joe Quinn

Membership Secretary

2 October 2017

 

List of dates – some can be entered on the day but some require pre entry – speak to Stephen Heasley (Mens’ Captain) or Alison Carroll (Ladies’ Captain)

Comp Sec alisoncarroll@btinternet.com

14 October – Comber Cup
(21 October – Masters’ Trial TBC)
28 October – Bobby Rea (Kilbroney)
4 November – McConnell Shield (Ballyclare)
2 December – Malcolm Cup – (Ballyclare)
9 December – Mighty Oaks
16 December – Northwest XC
6th January -Antrim International
3rd February -Stormont Cross Country
24th February -NI & Ulster Senior Lurgan Park, Lurgan