Athletics Auckland is excited to announce the return of the XCR Winter Season!
What do champion middle-distance athletes such as Jakob Ingebrigtsen (World Champion and Olympic medallist) and Cole Hocker (2024 1500m Olympic Champion) have in common?
Apart from being very fast middle-distance runners and Olympic Champions, they both use cross-country events as a big part of their training regime. These events help to improve their speed, stamina and endurance.
The Athletics Auckland cross country and road season starts in April. This provides you with the perfect opportunity to embrace the event of champions and run cross country over winter which will enhance your fitness and summer running.
Cross country running is for everyone, irrespective of age, ability or experience.
The winter season for adults and juniors is based around the Grand Prix Series, four cross country races and a road race. Your individual position at events across the season determines the individual age group winners. Get set for some fast and furious action to determine who will be crowned the individual champion in your age group.
Juniors (up to U16) can also race in teams in the Junior Relay Series which is great fun running with your mates and competing against runners from other clubs.
Older runners (U18/U20 +) can compete for their club in the XCR Senior Winter League which incorporates the Grand Prix Series as well as some additional events including individual and team events:
• The Auckland Half Marathon Championships:
• The Southland Relays (a short distance cross country relay),
• Te Haora | The Hour Race, (a shorter distance road relay event), and
• The Auckland Road Relays.
Embrace the camaraderie of competing as a team against other athletics clubs in the Auckland Region. All runners, fast and not so fast, young and not so young earn points for their club across the winter. Help your club be crowned XCR Winter League Champions and take your running to a new level on grass, trail and road surfaces.
There are also opportunities throughout the season for non-registered members who just want to dip their toe into the scene.
Take your running to the next level, join an athletics club and be part of a team.
Find your Club
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Juniors & Under 20 Athletes – what’s in it for you?
We asked our under 15 athletes Grace and Winona, what do you enjoy about Cross Country? I like the team aspect and how you can score points and be a part of your club. I like how it’s not running on track, not doing the same thing over and over!
Why do Cross country? I think its a good way to get out in your community and see different parts of Auckland, a great way to meet new people and have a good Saturday afternoon!
Under 35 Athletes – what’s in it for you?
We asked our under 30 athletes Oscar and Laura, what do you enjoy about Cross Country? The social aspect, you can get out and exercise with other people, also the runners high! The endorphins! It makes me happy, and keeps me fit!
Why do Cross country? I did it for quite a few years, the camaradarie of running with different people in the club, as well as just testing myself against some of Aucklands best runners.
Masters Athletes – what’s in it for you?
We asked our senior athletes Lani and Nick, what do you enjoy about Cross Country? I like the feeling of being free and being able to move my body, and then I feel great afterwards. Feeling fit and the social interaction is a really big part of it for me, so many great events!
Why do Cross country? It makes you a stronger runner, you’re working out what your body can do and sustain for an amount of time. I can run on the same day as my kids, it’s a great family day out!