2020 Cross Country Championships

Details of the 2020 cross country season have now been published by Athletics Ireland for seniors and juveniles. It is important to note that all is subject to the country being in level 2. In order to try and restrict the numbers taking part and attending the event the championships have been completely reformatted with for the first time for seniors a qualifying competition through the regions and Dublin Championships. Also although these championships will take place next year they are the 2020 Championships so from a juvenile perspective an athlete will remain in their current age category until the championships are concluded.

The national senior championships will take place at a venue to be announced, one would assume Abbottstown, on the weekend of March 13 and 14th. In order to qualify a club must finish in the top three in the Dublin Championships or the provincial championships. This year it is a team of six with 4 to score, no B teams are permitted. As defending men’s champions, the, are already pre-qualified, however the Clonliffe women must place in the top 3 teams in dublin to make the Nationals. In addition to teams qualifying the top six individuals, excluding those already on qualified club teams, will also qualify for nationals. There are an additional 23 places being made available for elite/high-performance/U/23 athletes based on competing in European cross-country over the previous three years.

It is expected that the Dublin cross country championships will take place either on the weekend of January 30/31st or February 13/14th.

The bad news is that there does not appear to be a junior championship catered for this time but rather there is a U/19/U/20 championship.

From a juvenile perspective matters are even more complex. The Dublin even age championships are expected to take place on January 30/31st with the unevens on the weekend of February 13/14th. The top 15 juveniles in the Dublin Championships will then qualify for the new national juvenile individual and inter-provincial championships. These championships will take place on the weekend of February 27 and 28th (even ages) and March 13/14th (uneven ages). The national juvenile inter-clubs championships will then take place on the weekend of March 27 and 28th (uneven ages only). For a team to qualify for this national competition they must place in the top three club teams at the Dublin juveniles: teams of 5 with 4 to score.

Consideration is being given to whether it is feasible for novice, intermediate and masters cross country to take place in the current circumstances. More details will be posted as we have them but for the present coaches and athletes start preparing! Dublin Championships at the end of January and middle of February with nationals then on the weekend of March 13 and 14th.

Dates:

Weekend 30/31st Jan Dublin Juvenile Even ages.

Weekend 13/14th Feb Dublin Juvenile Uneven ages. (Dublin seniors one of these weekends)

Weekend 27/28th Feb National Juvenile Uneven ages Individual and inter-provincials and U/19/U/20

Weekend 13/14th March National Juvenile Even ages Individual and Inter provincials and National Seniors

Weekend 27/28th National Juvenile Uneven Inter clubs