North Wales Cross Country League

Rules of Competition

‘David Alun Williams’ North Wales Cross Country League

Rules of Competition

  1. General Rules for Competition

All events are subject to the overall rules of competition as set down by UK Athletics. Only first claim members of a Club, College or School may take part in team competition in the North Wales Cross Country League. The League is not open to individual membership.

All athletes must be registered with their National Association (England Athletics or Welsh Athletics) before the day of the race. Entry fees are decided at the League AGM and are shown on the North Wales League website.

The registration of athletes competing for affiliated clubs, colleges or schools is performed online by their team manager before the start of every season.

Clubs new to the league and all member clubs who have changed their colours must register the change with the League Secretary in advance of the start of the League season. All members of teams should wear the same version of vest or t shirt unless approved to the contrary by the Race Referee.

Member Clubs shall pay an annual membership fee which will be agreed at the AGM and must be paid by a date agreed by the AGM. There shall be separate fees for Junior and senior club participation. 

An athlete will be allocated a unique race number at their first race of the season. This must be retained for all races within that League season. In the case of damage or loss a replacement can be ordered via a Club’s Liaison Officer to the League Secretary at least two days BEFORE race day. Replacement numbers will incur a fee of £1.

  • Age Groups (as of 2026/27 season)

Under 10 – must be at least 8 years old on the day of competition and be under 10 years old on 31st August prior to the fixture.

Under 12 – must be at least 10 years old on the day of competition and be under 12 years old on 31st August prior to the fixture.

Under 14 – must be at least 12 years old on the day of competition and be under 14 years old on 31st August prior to the fixture.

Under 16 – must be at least 14 years old on the day of competition and be under 16 years old on 31st August prior to the fixture.

Under 20 – must be at least 16 years old on the day of competition and be under 20 years old on 31st August prior to the fixture.

Seniors – must be at least 16 years old on the day of competition.

Masters – Over 35, Over 45, Over 55, Over 65 etc. must be at least the age indicated on the day of competition.

3. Recommended Race Distances

Every effort will be made to ensure that race distances at any fixture are as indicated in the table below. However, local circumstances at a fixture may have to be considered.

Age GroupMaleFemale
Under 101 > 1.5 miles1 > 1.5 miles
Under 121.5 > 2 miles1.5 > 2 miles
Under 142 > 2.5 miles2 > 2.5 miles
Under 162.5 > 3 miles2.5 > 3 miles
Under 183-4 miles3-4 miles
Seniors & Masters5-6 miles3-4 miles
Over 653-4 miles3-4 miles
  • Teams

The table below indicates the MINIMUM number of team counters for each age group.

Team Size

All Junior Teams                                                 4 athletes

Senior Men Teams Division 1                             6 athletes

Senior Men Teams Division 2                             4 athletes

Senior Women Division 1                                   4 athletes

Senior Women Division 2                                   3 athletes

Master Men Teams (M35-64)/(M65+)             3 athletes (clubs must have complete teams)

Masters Women (35-64)/W65+                         3 athletes (clubs must have complete teams)

Any incomplete team, in the senior league (but NOT Master Teams) will have the last runner total plus 1 added for each missing runner.

Any incomplete team, in the junior league will have 50 points added for each missing runner.

Any athlete, having competed for a team in a season, who then changes club, college or school is only eligible to compete as an individual for his/her new team in the league for the remainder of that season. Their individual points will be accumulated accordingly.

  • Scoring for Individuals

Scoring will be in each age group and in the senior races, an overall score.

For individual athletes competing in the league, the lowest 4 of 5 race positions will give an aggregate for the season. In the event of cancellation of one race, then the lowest 3 of 4 race positions will give an aggregate for the season.

The individual League Champions will be those gaining the lowest aggregate score.

  • Divisional Structure for Senior Teams

All senior teams are placed into divisions.

For both Men and Women there are two divisions – Division 1 has 8 teams, and all the remaining teams will be in Division 2.

There is promotion and demotion of 2-up 2-down between the divisions. Any new teams will be placed in the lowest division.

  • Awards

First, second and third team medals will be presented as follows:

Junior Teams (6 medals) – U10 Boys; U10 Girls; U12 Boys; U12 Girls; U14 Boys;  U14 Girls; U16 Boys; U16 Girls

Women (6 medals) – Division 1; Division 2; Masters (W35-64) Masters (W65+)

Men (8 medals Div1/6 Div2) – Division 1; Division 2; Masters (M35-64); Masters (M65+)

Additional medals can be purchased by successful clubs.

First, second and third trophies will be presented for the following individual categories:

Junior      –              U10 Boys; U10 Girls; U12 Boys; U12 Girls; U14 Boys;                                 U14 Girls; U16 Boys; U16 Girls

Women   –              Overall; U18W; U20W; SW; W35; W40; W45; W50; W55; W60; W65; W70; W75; W80

Men        –              Overall; U18M; U20M; SM; M35; M40; M45; M50; M55; M60; M65; M70; M75; M80; M85

The Tudor Friendly Shield will be presented to the with the lowest aggregate score from a combination of both Men’s and Women’s Team scores. In order to count for the Tudor Friendly Shield, both the Men’s and Women’s Teams must both be in Division 1 of their respective league.

The Arthur Bebbington Trophy, has been presented annually since 1995/96 and is presented for Special Endeavour, in memory of one of North Wales and the League’s leading lights, Arthur Bebbington, Colwyn Bay.  The recipient of the Arthur Bebbington Trophy will be determined by the Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary of the League.

  • Race Day Timetable (as of 2026/27 season)

Junior races will take place in the morning starting at 10-30am with the Under 16 Boys followed in order as listed below. Senior races take place in the afternoon as indicated:

10-30am                     –              Under 16 Boys/ Under 16 Girls

Followed by:              –          

  • Under 14 Boys / Under 14 Girls
  • Under 12 Boys/ Under 12 Girls
  • Under 10 Boys/ Under 10 Girls

 1-00pm                        –              Women/M65+ Men/U18 Men

2-00pm                        –              Men

  • Host Clubs

Host clubs should appoint a Liaison Officer who will liaise with the League Secretary and ensure that the necessary organisations are made including ensuring a Risk Assessment is completed and forwarded to the League Secretary.

All of the costs for hosting a ‘David Alun Williams’ North Wales Cross Country League fixture will be funded by the league.

In addition to marking out the course and provided marshals on race day, host clubs are also requested to provide 1 x back-up timekeeper; 2 x Funnel recorders; 1 x issuing extra numbers before race.

The League Secretary will ensure that Race Licences are organised for all League races and a copy of the licence are forwarded to the Host Club Liaison Officer. The League will also organise First Aid for all fixtures.

  1. Fixtures

Fixtures will be agreed at the Annual General Meeting accommodating other local races and any national/international fixtures wherever possible. Ideally, the first two fixtures will be held in October; one fixture in November; one fixture in January; and the final fixture in February.

  1. Referees

At the David Alun Williams North Wales Cross Country League Annual General Meeting the League will appoint Referees for the forthcoming season.

Referees will be responsible for ensuring the rules of the sport are followed and ensuring the safety and fair conduct of the races. Any decisions made by the Referee(s) are final.

  1.  Executive Committee

An Executive Committee shall be made up of the Chair, Vice Chair, & Secretary plus Referees co-opted as necessary. The Executive Committee shall meet as required.

  1. Misconduct

Where there is a breach of the letter or spirit of any of these Rules or any interference with decisions or abuse of officials by any person, including coaches and family members of an athlete, the Executive may impose a sanction on an individual athlete and/or his club depending on the severity of the breach or continued repeated breaches.

  1. Annual General Meeting and Proposals

An Annual General Meeting should be held annually and ideally in May following the end of the cross-country season. Invitations and proposals for the AGM should be made to the League Secretary at least four weeks before the AGM.

  1. Financial Accounts

The financial year for the League shall be the 1st April until 31st March. A statement of accounts shall be produced annually, audited and then presented for approval to the AGM.

  1. Amendments to Rules

Any amendment to these rules should be agreed at the AGM