All runners’ names must be entered online. For each area you must submit your runners names before the closing date, using only the official online entry section. Each runner will receive their own number (a new number will be given for the final.) All entries must be done online. Entry fee is £4 for per pupil.
Please do not allow a child to run under someone else’s name- each school/ individual will be given a sheet with the details of their team in the morning, which should be updated with any changes and returned to the registration team. If a child is sick or unable to attend at the last minute, we can assign a new number that morning. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT LATE ENTRIES.
New Schools
If your School wishes to join the Athletics NI Primary School Cross Country League and your school has not taken part before, all you have to do is email aoife.cochrane@athleticsni.org with the following information:
Teams/Individuals
Girls & Boys teams will be separate with 4 to score for a team. You can only run 6 in each of the main races.
Due to the popularity of the League in some areas we have had to adjust the race set up. For areas with high numbers (more than 20 schools entered) there will be 5 races.
Race 1 Individual Race (non-scoring there is no cap on entries in the individual race) (mixed), Race 2 & 3 (2 Girls Races) and Race 4 & 5 (2 Boys Races). Where there are 2 girls and 2 boys main races they will be presented with medals for first 3 in each race, the results will be recorded as two separate races with the team results being added together to get overall team results. Races that have to be split into 2 girls and 2 boys races will be split at random and schools will stay in the same race throughout the 3 rounds.
For areas with less than 20 schools entered but with high numbers there will be 3 races. Race 1 will be a Individual Race (non-scoring) for pupils not in the top 6 – boys & girls will run together, race 2 will be for girls - only your top 6 girls will be allowed to race, and 3rd race will be boys - only your top 6 boys will be allowed to race.
Pupils taking part in the Individual Race (non-scoring) (1st race) will NOT count towards the teams scores this race is just for fun and to give the participants a chance to try cross country. *Individual Race’s (non-scoring) will only be run if entries are high in that area. Due to feedback received there is no limit to the number of children entered into the individual race. Distances should be the same as the main races where possible.
The school team that has the best overall team score (taken from best two scores out of 3 rounds) will then be eligible for an overall county prize and to compete in the NI Final. Top 3 teams from each area will compete in the NI Final in February. Schools must complete the 2 or 3 rounds in the same County area and cannot change areas across rounds!
Individuals - If a school does not have enough for a team but you have some keen runners you can enter pupils individually in the main races. They must compete in at least two rounds if they are to be in with a chance of making the NI Final. The top 5 individuals from each area will make the NI Final (score taken from best 2 scores out of 3 rounds).
Age
Only pupils from P5 to P7 are eligible to compete.
Start
At the start of each race you must line your school up in single file. Putting your strongest runners to the front. If there is enough space you may be able to start in two’s. It’s at the Race Directors discretion where teams are allocated a start pen. It is the schools responsibility to ensure that competing athletes assemble at the start area at least 5 minutes before the start of their race. Please make sure that race numbers are pinned to the front, chip timing will be attached to the race number.
Finish
At the end of each race there will be a finishing funnel. The finish line will be at the start of the funnel and marked with 2 flags or a line.
Sportsmanship
Athletics is a non contact sport and therefore there should not be any physical contact during the race. For cross country where everybody is tightly packed at the start it is understandable that there might be slight contact (officials will be watching) but any contact observed by officials during the final stages of the race will lead to disqualification. Runners cannot block other runners by purposely pushing, holding or zig zagging in front of them.
We would also ask that all spectators/ parents or teachers refrain from using any offensive or aggressive language towards any of the staff, officials or runners. This is a primary school children’s event and as such offensive language will not be tolerated.
Entries
All runners’ names must be entered online. For each round you must submit your runners names before the closing date, using only the official online entry section. Each runner will receive their own number (a new number will be given for each round). You can change the team runners for the different rounds. If a child is sick or unable to attend at the last minute, we can assign a new number that morning. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT LATE ENTRIES.
Photography
Photographs will be taken during the different rounds and at the NI final, these will be used on the Athletics NI website and for media. When completing the application form you must tick whether there is parental consent for Athletics NI to use each child’s photograph. If a child from your school is not allowed to be photographed, then please let us know and we can delete any Athletics NI photos that they are in.
Area distances
Athletics NI have made the distances more progressive to follow the UK Athletics and Athletics Ireland guidelines. Round 1 – approximately 1000 metres, Round 2 – approximately 1200meters, Round 3 – approximately 1400meters and the final approximately 1600m. In order to help with the increase in distance Athletics NI have developed a guideline training programme that you can use if needed.
Footwear
Spikes can be worn but aren’t compulsory for cross country although as they are only primary school children, they should not be any longer than 9mm. Children wearing spikes will most likely be used to wearing them but if a child from your school is wearing spikes you must remind them to be careful with them and to avoid getting too close to other athletes.
Pacing
NO pacing is allowed during races. Athletes will be disqualified if they are seen to be being paced (followed around) the course by teachers, parents, coaches or other athletes.
*Wheelchair race (WCH): There will be wheelchair races this year.
The wheelchair races will take place on footpaths/ playgrounds and will be between 200m and 400m. Children can use their own wheelchair. Children from any primary school in Northern Ireland can take part in the wheelchair races, they do not have to be from that area. If you have a pupil who would be interested in competing a wheelchair race, please contact the event organisers.
Entry fee
Online entry – all entries must be done online. Entry fee is £4 per pupil.
Pupil’s names must be entered online.
Receipts for entries can be printed from the online system. Please note that no name changes or late entries will be accepted.
*There will be chip timing at each race. Timing chips will be attached to the back of race numbers please make sure they are attached to the front of the pupil’s t-shirt.