Nunnery Hosts Highlight of Domestic Manx Cross Country Season.

Sunday 21 January sees the Isle of Man Cross Country Championships and the Microgaming Cross Country League – Round 4 take place at the Nunnery estate just south of Douglas.

The registration is open from 1pm and closes at 2pm. Athletes are reminded that you only need to register if you have not paid for the series in total or if you have lost your original number and need to get a replacement.

The first races are off at 2pm with the Under 9 boys and girls followed by the under 11s at 2.06pm. These races take place on fast parkland with some hilly sections. The main course covers a 2.4km lap which has altered compared to last year due to work taking place on the land. It has flat fast sections together with some major hills and also muddy agricultural fields. It should prove a test for all who take part.  Here’s the full timetable

All distance running athletes can enter the championships irrespective of being entered for the league so do turn up and test yourselves against the best runners on the Island and a really tough course, registration opens at 1pm. Thanks go out to the Nunnery Estate, Department of Infrastructure and their tenants for use of the land and also to Microgaming for sponsorship of the league.

Please note that as this is a Championship event if you are a member of Club then Club Vests should be worn.

Members of Manx Harriers are encouraged help mark out the course on Saturday afternoon 20th January so do come along and help if you can. We will be meeting at the course at 2pm. Please email Andy if you can help on andycfox@outlook.com in addition if you can help marshal the Course on Sunday afternoon do contact Andy.

Arriving at the course is also a little complex. The new 95 space car park which is accessed by entering the site closest to Heron and Brearley Brewery and depot is the main facility for parking. Once this is full or we reach 2pm the entrance to this car park will be closed. Then drivers will only be able to leave the estate via the road passed the main house and out through the Douglas exit near to the quay. If you do not wish to risk arriving and finding no space on the estate car park then do park in the Pulrose Bridge car park adjacent the power station which is free on a Sunday. Then make your way into the civic amenity site road and take the footpath which can be seen in the metal fence close to Edmundson Electrical with Cross country signs pointing the way. This path allows a quick route to the course which takes 10 minutes and comes out close to the race HQ which can be seen on the maps attached here you will find registration for those who need to register, toilets, first aid and also warm food and drinks courtesy of Barista Express.

We hope all enjoy the day and do give us feedback regarding the new course which has altered compared to the first running on it last year.

Andy Fox
Manx Harriers