Cross country

For all you budding cross country runners, why not take part in the cross country leagues throughout winter. The cross country races are open to runners of all abilities and we highly recommend giving them a go for the great team spirit, racing in club colours and challenging yourself in a tough (sometimes very muddy!) race.

The leagues

The club take part primarily in two leagues:

There are 4 races in each league hosted from October/November through to January/February. The leagues are free for members of the club to take part - but you must be a paid up first claim affiliated member.

Fixtures

15th November 2025

  • Men and women at Newbold Comyn, Leamington Spa (with all other divisions)

6th December 2025

  • Men at Betley Court, Stoke (hosted by City of Stoke AC)
  • Women TBC

10th January 2026

  • Men and women at Top Barn, Worcester (hosted by Black Pear Joggers)

7th February 2026

  • Men at Ipsley Meadows, Redditch (hosted by Bromsgrove & Redditch)
  • Women TBC

Team captains

Thank you to the captains for volunteering and championing the cross country. If you would like to ask any questions about the cross country, check out the BPJ Facebook group.

Also a big thank you to Chris Bomber Harris who captained the men’s team through the club’s promotion to division two and grew the participation in the club. Due to other commitments he has passed the mantle over, but still helps out where possible.

Chris Attwood

Men's cross country team captain

Lorraine Griffiths

Women's cross country team captain

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible to take part?

You need to be a first-claim affiliated member of the club. This means second claim and basic members would need to switch/upgrade to take part. This is part of the league rules and not decided by the club.

When are where are the races?

There are usually 4 fixtures roughly one a month between November and February. The locations depend on the club hosting the fixture. Previous locations have included Leamington Spa, Droitwich, Worcester, Birmingham, Stoke, Cheltenham, Gloucester and Telford. The fixtures for the current season are published further up on this page once known.

Do I need to be fast to run cross country?

Not at all! Cross country is about taking part, enjoying the challenge, and being part of the team. We do try and encourage our faster runners to take part so we can try and do well as a club, but also encourage all abilities to enjoy the team camaraderie and atmosphere.

Usually the first so 6 runners in a club count as the 'A' team, the next 6 the 'B' team and so on. Even if you don't make the 'A' team, you could still finish ahead of another team's runners and take points away from them, which helps benefit the club.

What do I need to wear?

It is compulsory for all runners to be wearing their club vest or t-shirt. If you don’t have one, check out the kit page for how to buy one.

Footwear really depends on the course and weather conditions, you will get by with a good pair of trail shoes, which have better grip. For some races, cross country spikes are necessary (you can run without but you may end up slipping and sliding everywhere!).

If you have kept hold of your race number, don't forget it otherwise you may not be able to compete - they are reused for each race of the season. Don't forget safety pins or event clips to attach it!

Definitely bring a change of clothes and warm layers for after.

What distance are the races?

Most cross country races are between 5–10K (about 3–6 miles). Women's fixtures are usually shorter than the men's. They will feel tougher than the same distance on road runs because of hills and mud, but that’s part of the fun.

Will I get left behind?

Runners of all speeds take part, and you’ll always have support from teammates around the course. Most courses are lapped, so you may find you'll have cheers from faster/slower runners around you.

Do I need special training?

No special training needed – your regular running is enough. Cross country is more about enjoying the challenge than chasing times. If you want to get used to the terrain, you could try some off-road parkruns.

Do I have to compete in all of the fixtures?

Not at all. Join in whenever you can – whether it’s one race or the whole season, you’ll be welcome.

Is there a team atmosphere?

Yes! Cross country is one of the most supportive and sociable parts of running. Everyone cheers for each other, and there’s always plenty of encouragement.

How do I take part?

Let us know you’d like to run by adding your name to the sign up form, and we’ll help with the rest. We have a message group for the runners to chat and sort arrangements such as car sharing that we'll add you to.

Let us know as soon as possible as we have to supply names of competing runners to the league at least a week before the race - the earlier the better.

What if I still have more questions?

Either get in touch or ask away on our club Facebook group.