Preparations for this years Saucony English Cross Country Relays are in place after a difficult planning period. News that Mansfield District Council have become Corporate Trustees was announced the week before last and buildings that have been mothballed for nearly a year have had to be checked out but now nearly all the usual facilities are available, so the show goes on as in previous years.

Despite the uncertainty of whether Berry Hill Park would be available another big entry has been received for this years event on the 2nd November. At the close of entries 1281 teams had been entered across the 10 races, this is just 2 down on the 2017 record and up on last years number of 1223. When it comes down to each race there is a new record entry for the Senior Women’s Race with 184 entries, up 14 on the previous best last year.

In the younger age groups, Under 15 Girls has 129 teams entered this year – just 4 short of a record, while the Under 15 Boys there is 137 entered compared with the record 140. The smallest field understandably is always the Junior Women but standards have been maintained this year with 57 teams entered compared with the record of 58.

On the other end of the scale there is a massive 227 Senior Men’s teams entered just 8 short of the 2017 record and up 20 on last year. So the popularity of the event remains high on the Clubs agenda. Travel information has been sent out to Clubs and also can be found on the English Cross Country website. Look under Relays and Venue.