Sale Harriers cross country teams have formed the foundations of the club spanning three centuries from its original roots.
Cross Country
Cross Country for All Ages and Abilities
The cross-country season traditionally runs from mid-October until mid-March. Sale Harriers provides cross country training and races for athletes of all abilities and ages.
Cross country is used by all endurance coaches to improve their athletes’ strength and endurance prior to the summer track season. But also, as a foundation for road races from 5k to marathon and beyond. It is also great training for other off-road events such as trail, fell and mountain racing. However, many athletes specialise in cross country running and there are lots of opportunities during the season to take part in these traditional events.
🏅Manchester Area Cross Country League (MACCL)
The men, women and young athlete’s teams compete in the Manchester Area Cross Country League. These typically take place at five venues between October and February. The MACCL is one of the best and largest leagues in the country, and currently the league spans five counties from Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside to Derbyshire. Everyone that completes their race, can score for their club. All abilities welcome.
Run with the Best in the North West
This league is for Male and Females as follows:
- U11 2.4k approx.
- U13 3k approx.
- U15 4k approx.
- U17 6k approx.
- All women (U20/Seniors/Veterans) 8k approx.
- All men (U20/Seniors/Veterans) 9.5k approx.
This year’s MACCL dates/venues are as follows:
- Woodbank Park– 10th October 26
- Sherdley Park– 14th November 26
- Sefton Park– 28th November 26
- Tatton Park– 16th January 27
- Heaton Park– 13th February 27
The club covers the entry cost for all athletes, and the series is open to everyone. All events are very sociable and inclusive, with all abilities welcome. If you would like to compete, you must be a paid up member and run in a club vest.
As with last years series, the race at Sefton Park is part of the UK athletics X challenge. This is a separate entry and you will be given a new number of this race, however, results are counted towards the whole series. Please note you must enter the MACCL series to be able to run at Sefton Park.
Details of the age categories are as follows:
AGES as at midnight 31 August 2027*
U12 – aged 10 or 11 as at above date*;
U14 – aged 12 or 13 as at above date*;
U16 – aged 14 or 15 as at above date*;
U18 – aged 16 or 17 as at above date*;
U20 – aged 18 or 19 as at above date*.
Seniors – at least 20 as at above date*; Vets – age as on 10/10/2026.
If you would like to run in this year’s MACCL, below are the relevant contacts. It is open to everyone, and all abilities are welcome. You just need to be a current paid up member and commit to a minimum of one race. Contacts below;
- Vet /Senior/under 20s (17-19) male and female: Oli Higby- ochigby@gmail.com
- Junior male and female (16 and under): Jess Nugent- nugentjess@hotmail.com
Please let the relevant person know you wish to compete in the league by Friday 3rd October. There are also opportunities to enter throughout the season, if you know you won’t be able to make the first couple.
The season culminates in an awards evening with prizes for the top three teams and individuals in each category.
Overall, Sale is the league’s most successful club, with a fantastic winning record in all age groups. The senior men’s and women’s teams have the most League victories of any club, and our young athletes have an equally successful record.
Participate in the MACCL
To run in Manchester Area Cross Country League (MACCL) please contact one of the following people
Senior and Junior (Under 20) Men and Women:
Junior Athletes (Under 11, 13, 15, 17):
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE NO ENTRIES ON THE DAY. IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY BEEN PRE-ENTERED AND INTEND TO RUN IN ONE OF THE RACES THEN YOU MUST NOTIFY ONE OF THE CLUB CONTACTS LISTED ABOVE AT LEAST ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE RACE.
Championship Races (Winter to Spring)
Championship events require advance entry, which is organised by the club. Entries must be submitted weeks before the races and Sale pays the race entry fees for athletes’ as part of their club membership. The club will try and assist with transport. Athletes must notify their coach or team managers in advance if they wish to be entered for any of the events.
Northern Athletics Cross Country Relays
This takes place the third week of October and usually in Graves Park, Sheffield; an undulating course of mainly grassland with a bit of mud in woodlands. Two miles each for Seniors and less for Young Athletes, who do well each year and usually medal.
ECCA National Cross Country Relays
The National Cross Country Relays usually take place two weeks after the Northern championships and have been held in Mansfield since 1989 for age groups U13, U15, U17, U20, senior men and women. All short distances the longest being men’s @ 5k each and the Women’s 3k. This normally at Berry Hill Park Mansfield.
Over the years we have had great success across the age groups, men & women. More recently our U20’s and Senior women have had most success, but the men and boys have had great historical and consistent achievements.
British Masters Cross Country Relay Championships
Usually at Long Eaton, Derbyshire on the last Saturday in October, on a flat 3km grass course. We have had great success in recent years with medals for the V35 and V45 categories.
UMACC – University of Manchester Cross Country Relay
The relays take place on the last Saturday of October. The 3km course held at Wythenshawe Sports Ground is flat and fast. Anyone is invited to the relays: Universities, Schools, Running Clubs or just simply a group of friends.
In 2025 sponsor RonHill provided prizes to the fastest 3 teams and the 10 fastest individual legs on the day.
There are 3 race categories with the Men’s and Mixed teams consisting of 6 legs and Women doing 3.
To qualify for a Mixed team prize there must be exactly 3 Men and 3 Women per team.
The location is Wythenshawe Sports Ground – Wythenshawe Forum, Willenhall Rd, M23 0BD
Greater Manchester Championships
This is usually in December or January and currently teams will be entered by team managers but all are welcome to run. Some clubs leave it to runners to self-enter. Sale Harriers have had multiple individual and Team wins in the various age groups. Under 13 years to Seniors and Veterans.
Northern Athletics Cross Country Championships
Traditionally at the end of January it includes clubs from all parts of the North of England.
It has been at some iconic venues, some tough and hilly, some very muddy and some fast grass but woods, hills and mud, such as the Sale Harriers hosted 2025 event in Tatton Park.
This Championship is for Male and Females of all standards of racers. U13 3k, U15 4k & U17 women 5K or U17 men 6k, as well as Juniors (U20) 6k Women and 8k junior men. Seniors & Veterans, 8k Women and 12k Men.
Overall, Sale is one of the most successful clubs, with a fantastic winning record in all young age groups as well as the Junior and Senior men’s and Women’s teams.
English National Cross Country Championships (ECCA)
Usually held in February, the venue rotates between North, Midlands and South of England. This is a major event which all Sale athletes should aim to race in.
Sale Harriers has a long history in the ‘National’ including team and individual medalists over the decades, including recent years. Historically the Under 20 Men & women have probably had most success.
