2025 / 2026 Race Schedule
| Date | Venue | Host club |
| 26/10/2025 | Framlingham Castle | Framlingham Flyers |
| 30/11/2025 | Rock Barracks, Sutton Heath, IP12 3LU | Woodbridge Shufflers RC |
| 11/01/2026 | Haughley Park | Stowmarket Striders |
| 25/01/2026 | Woburn Farm, Corton, NR32 5LE | Bungay Black Dog RC |
| 08/02/2026 | Nether Hall, Pakenham | Saint Edmund Pacers |
| 15/02/2026 | Horseheath Racecourse | Haverhill Running Club |
Details of HRC’s Cross Country Event
Date: 15th February 2026
Location: Horseheath Racecourse, Horseheath, Cambs.
Horseheath Racecourse is on the A1307 between the villages of Linton and Horseheath. The post code is CB21 4QP, which takes you to the nearest property as the Racecourse itself does not have one. The grid reference for any emergency calls is 52.096N; 0.328E. The WHAT THREE WORDS associated with the entrance to Horseheath Racecourse are: thank.birthdays.skinny.
Start times: U11 fun run at 10:40, 11-16 race at 10:50, and Seniors race at 11:15.
About the course: The Seniors race is an undulating two lap course of around 8000m, and is entirely on grass/footpaths/water(!) so is suitable for spikes or trail shoes. The 11-16 race forms one lap of the course and the U11 fun run is 800m.
Your run will take you around the perimeter of the racecourse, now taking in some nice wooded, slightly more technical sections. And as usual, you will get your toes wet in the watersplash!! Plus we have set up some Strava segments this year, for those feeling extra competitive or who like to chase the stats.
Entry fees: £5 per runner (Seniors) and £2 per runner (Juniors), will be payable by each competing club. Bank transfer details will be available in advance and on the day.
Facilities: There will be toilets on site for runners to use. However, please note that there are no changing facilities, so runners should come race ready.
Refreshments: Hamburgers, bacon rolls, egg rolls, hot and cold drinks and a selection of cakes will be available for purchase (card payments preferred). A proportion of the proceeds will go to Memories are Golden, our Charity of the Year for 2026.
Parking: On entering the site, please follow the marshals’ instructions to the car park. Parking is limited so please car share as much as possible.
If you have a club gazebo please make the car park marshals aware and they will direct you closer to race HQ. We would advise that all gazebos are tied down securely as it can be very windy on site.
Leaving the venue: Please note that when leaving the venue you will have to cross the course which may still be in use so please take extra special care, listen to the marshals, and wait if requested for your fellow runners to pass.
We look forward to welcoming you in February!
Results
Full results, including results from previous years, along with further race details such as rules, can all be found on the SWL pages of the County Association website HERE
What to expect from cross country events
Many of us probably have some pretty horrible memories of cross country at school. Being made to leg it round some wet and muddy fields in the freezing winter in your non-winter suitable PE kit and plimsolls is not your general idea of fun. Or if you were in a city school like some of us – you gave it legs until out of sight of the teacher then you popped in the corner shop for some sweets and cigarettes. Whatever your memories we ask you to put them aside and come and give the adult version a go!!
It’s probably wet, probably muddy and definitely fun! So for starters you will be off road. The courses are designed to challenge the runners technically as well as physically. Previous courses have included logs to jump, ditches, rivers and mud. Lots of mud. So yes – it will be hard, your legs will protest and your ankles will wonder if you’ve lost your mind but at the end the feeling of achievement is truly worth it!
Please don’t be intimidated. As with all HRC activities we encourage any age or ability to join in. You will still run the same course and have the same achievement if you are out to beat others or just beat your inner voice that is on the fence about taking part. Most courses are about five miles. Some are one lap, some are multiple.
As these are essentially team events you will need to wear an HRC vest or t-shirt in primary Club colours, i.e. black vest/t-shirt with silver writing and side panels. If you don’t have a HRC vest or t-shirt you can obtain one from the club shop.
Here are three reasons to give it a go:
1. It’s fun (yes really!). It’s great to try new things with friends! Times are less important in these races. Due to the terrain you can’t compare your road times to your XC times. You can totally go all out for placings but if that’s not your focus then just get round and enjoy the fresh air. No pressure.
2. Your fitness will improve. Your legs will come out of the XC season stronger and quicker. Your stamina will improve. Your balance and coordination should improve (depending on how clumsy you are!). Your ankle and foot strength will get a good going over. Many people believe off road running is better on your joints and limbs. The logic is sound but the research has been a bit contradictory at times so that’s for you to make your own mind up. Some of us believe we run way better (not faster – we just enjoy our runs a whole lot more) off road.
3. Variety is the key to a great training plan. We all know to include exercise other than running. But the variation in running type shouldn’t be overlooked. Changes in surface and style contribute to a reduction in overuse injuries.
You don’t need fancy or expensive kit. Trail shoes are pretty much a must if you want to stay upright but probably best to try a little bit of off-road before you commit and buy a shiny new pair (oh but they won’t stay shiny for long!!). There are lots of experienced off-road runners in the club who could recommend a brand or two. Spikes are not needed unless you want to/like wearing them.
Now we’ve hopefully rambled enough for you to consider giving it a go, here’s a little honest run down of some of the courses that you will find in the Suffolk Winter League:
| Venue | Overview |
| Framlingham Castle | A picturesque two lap course around fields and along narrow muddy trails, starting and finishing in the grounds of historic Framlingham Castle. Watch out for the steep drop (mud slide?) just over the wall beside the castle! |
| Rock Barracks | Starting and finishing across the road from race headquarters and the car park, this is a fairly flat course for the most part, along grassy tracks and sandy lanes, but watch out for some big puddles and a couple of steep sandy hills. |
| Haughley Park | This course is SO MUCH FUN!! The first section takes you on some narrow twists and turns through the woods. Following on from this are some nice tracks then the fun begins. Back into the woods and in and out of some old bomb holes! Then back towards the direction of the start where you need to negotiate some ditches, logs and some steep climbs. |
| Horseheath Racecourse | An undulating two lap course (one lap for juniors) with some improvements for 2024. The course is entirely on grass/footpaths/water(!) so is suitable for spikes or trail shoes. Your run will take you around the perimeter of the racecourse, now taking in some nice wooded, slightly more technical sections and as usual you will get your toes wet in the watersplash!! |
| Pakenham | TBC |
| Southwold | TBC |
As this is a Suffolk League and we are on the furthest edge of the county some of these venues are a bit of a trek and the races start relatively late (11am or so) but we encourage you to give one or two ago. Certainly going to Framlingham feels like going to the other end of the world but in our mind there is nothing better than sliding through some mud or crunching over leaves and fields with your breath hanging in the air and a cold nose!!