Cross Country
We kick off the year with our annual PvP race, usually held the second Saturday in October. This entails alumni returning and racing the current students in Durham. The race is around 4.5km for women and 6km for men. We also invite surrounding universities to race too, so please get in touch if you’d like your club to get involved. There is a meal and social held in the evening afterwards, making it a great way to get to know the rest of the team.
Our next race is Manchester XC relays. This is usually held the last weekend of October. Each men’s team is made up of 6 runners, and the women’s 3 runners and each leg is around 3km. There is no limit to the number of teams we can take and we welcome all abilities.
Mid-November we then travel to Edinburgh for Braid Hills XC. This is an individual race. You can enter the 5km or the 10km race, whichever you prefer. There is usually a social afterward, which has been popular in past years.
Our last race of Michealmas term is Leeds XC relays in early December. There are 4 runners in each mens/mixed teams and 3 runners in the women’s. Each leg is 2 miles (3.2km).
The final XC race of the season is our biggest: BUCS. This is held at the beginning of February and at different universities, with this year it being hosted by Edinburgh University. There is a men’s long race which is around 10km and only 6 runners from each university can be entered. There is also a men’s short race which is roughly 8km and a women’s race which is roughly 6km. There are no limitations to how many athletes we enter.
Many athletes also travel to the Isle of Man for their Easter Weekend Running festival which includes a 10km road race, a fell race, and a 5km race, as well as many popular social events.
Track and Field
Our main focus for the year is BUCS. BUCS indoors is held Mid-February at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield. There are no entry standards for all events except 3000m, pole vault and triple jump. We can enter 2 athletes per event along with one 4x200m relay team. You must have a PB on the power of 10 from the last 2 years to enter. BUCS outdoors is the first weekend in May. Again, there are no entry standards for all events except 5000m, pole vault and triple jump and you must have a PB on the power of 10 from the last 2 years to enter. We can enter 2 athletes per event and one 4x100m relay and one 4x400m relay. If there are events which are over subscribed we will either hold a trial or go off athlete’s PBs.
Many athletes also compete in open meetings throughout the year such as Northern Indoor Open, Sale Harriers Open, Steel Cup (indoors), Gateshead Open, Wakefield Open and Loughborough Open.
Durham City Harriers
Many students join DCH which allows you to enter other races and run for the club.
