How Does Regional Cross Country Work?
A brief explainer of what the region does to promote cross country
Championships
We hold a championship at the beginning of each season, which is usually the first race of the Gwent League season in October. Medals are awarded to the top 3 male and female athletes and clubs overall, and then for each junior and senior age category.
Pre-registration is essential for this process, as we cannot assume the eligibility of athletes. We border two other regions and there are many examples of eligible athletes who live out of region, and vice versa. There is no way to keep a record of all eligible athletes and so we ask for registration each year.
It is the individual athlete’s responsibility to ensure they are declared for championship races and selection.
Welsh Inter-regional Championships
This race is organised by Welsh Athletics in late November and is an opportunity for regions to select their best athletes to compete against each other. This competition is for juniors, seniors, and masters.
We use the Championship race as a selection race, where a good performance will earn automatic selection to the South Wales team.
Athletes must declare their availability before the Championship race, and confirm their selection as soon as possible. Reserves will be named and may be called up.
UK CAU Inter-Counties Championship
This race is organised by the UK Counties Athletic Union, usually in central England in early March. All four Welsh regions compete against English counties, Scottish districts, and Northern Ireland. This competition is for juniors and seniors, with no masters categories.
We will select the top medal-winning athletes from the Inter-Regional Championship, as well as other athletes who have run well over the season.
Athletes must declare their availability early in the year, and confirm their selection as soon as possible. Reserves will be named and may be called up.
What Can I Do?
Register! That is the most important part you can play. We allow individual and bulk registrations so athletes can declare themselves or club captains can register everyone at once.
Selection for the region is based entirely on merit. If you have received a place, you have earned it, and we have full confidence in your ability to represent South Wales. We fully support every athlete representing the region, and we are proud to back everyone wearing the burgundy and white stripes on race day and beyond.
Please contact us if you’d like to learn more about Cross Country.
Selection policy
See our selection and eligibility page for more information.