The ECCA were represented at the meeting referred to below.
We will continue with our planning for Cross Country although we accept that there will be restrictions but we will move forward as quickly and safely as we can. The formal statement is below.
England Athletics is pleased to announce that we have begun making steps towards a restricted return to Cross Country competition. On the 27th August 2020 we held a meeting with the Cross Country community, including the ECCA, the areas, and some league organisers to agree on the following proposed timeline for a return to Cross Country Competition:
Mid-September to mid-October – Pilot XC Competitions
5th October – Licence application process opens
17th October – Licensed Cross Country competition can resume
These dates are provisional and will be adapted if necessary, with any additional Government guidance that is issued.
Cross Country competition will be unable to resume in the traditional format, adaptations will have to be made based on the current circumstances regarding the virus. However, England Athletics believe this is an exciting step forward for the Cross-Country community and we are currently working on guidance with the named organisations to support competition providers in providing a safe return to adapted cross country competition.
We are aiming for a version of the guidance to be published for competition organisers on W/C 14th September 2020. It will be the decision of the competition provider whether they will host competitions given the restrictions within the guidance. The 2020/21 XC fixture dates are below. All cross-country dates will remain ring fenced until further notice. Due to the licensing timeline above all have agreed the first league fixture date in October will be cancelled. All licensed competitions will be published on the England Athletics website when licensing opens.
Cross Country fixture lists subject to change and race formats to be confirmed subject to guidance.
10th October League 1 Cancelled
17th October Area XC Relays tbc
31st October ECCA XC Relays
7th November League 2
28th November UK Cross Challenge & European Trials
5th December League 3
13th December European XC, Ireland
9th January County XC Champs
16th January League 4
13th February League 5
20th February CAU IC XC & World Trials
6th March ECCA National XC
13th March League 6
20th March World XC Champs, Australia
20th March English Schools XC Champs
27th March SIAB Schools International
All fixtures are subject to confirmation by event organisers and subject to government guidance updates.
