The venue for this season’s English National Cross Country Championships returns to the Midland’s and another new one has been chosen with the event taking place this time at Weston Park, near Telford along the A5 to Cannock. With the entrance via Shrewsbury Gate on that road and is scheduled for Saturday 24th February.

The address of the venue is Weston under Lizard, which is a small village nearby. In appearance it is very much an estate village because of Weston Park the family seat of the Earls of Bradford. The lizard bit coming from the proximity of Lizard Hill. The element ‘Weston’ deriving from the Old English, west-tun meaning ‘west farmstead.’

Weston Park has been hosting outdoor events in its beautiful park for over 50 years and has staged many big events. Usually around 50,000 people visit the various events that take place each year which includes a Bonfire & Fireworks Extravaganza, Christmas Food & Craft Fayres, Summer events as well. Also, back in 2000 a G8 Summit Conference was held there with, then US President Bill Clinton, Russian President Boris Yeltsin and GB Prime Minister Tony Blair and 15 other Leaders attended. All with the enviable backdrop of either the 1671 mansion house or Capability Brown’s parkland, lakes and follies.

Situated minutes from major motorways and with easy access to mainline train stations, Weston’s location and road network can deal with all sorts of capacity. There is over a 1000 acres of Capability Brown parkland at Weston and this will be a good test for those taking part in the 2024 event with undulating parkland and quality grass.

This will be 136th time a Senior Men’s Championship will be staged since the first in 1876 while the latest ones are the Under 13 and Under 15 Boys first stage in 2003. Once again, the traditional distances will be raced with Senior Men running 12K and the Senior Women 8K. and the finish is adjacent to the wonderfully named Temple of Diana.

Entry to the event can be done by going to:
www.race-results.co.uk/results/2024/natxc24e.php

Closing date is Friday 26th January 2024 so don’t delay.

Car parking will be in Weston Park close to the Course and information on this will be available after entries close.