We have checked and the County Staff Club will be open for Harriers members from 9am. Please remember the need to rehydrate AFTER the event and support the club.

Cross country season is just around the corner. Let’s try and get as many Harriers as possible at each race.

Here are the dates for each cross country:

Saturday 21st September: Sutton Park Autumn Road Relays
Saturday 28th September: NSCC – Winsford — See note below transport
Saturday 26th October: NSCC – Stafford Common  ** Helpers to setup and marshall are required
Saturday 2nd November: National Cross Country Relays – Mansfield
Saturday 16th November: NSCC – Parkhall — See note below about car sharing
Saturday 14th December: NSCC – Rodbaston

If you intend to run for Stafford Harriers in any of this season’s cross-country races please pass your name to Chris Skellern, Ian Hodkinson, or any of our coaches before September 21st. Alternatively, e-mail your intention to membership@staffordharriers.co.uk

To be eligible to compete for us in any of these fixtures you must be a paid-up member of Stafford Harriers and have paid to be registered with England Athletics for 2019-2020.

If you are uncertain about your eligibility or wish information about registering with England Athletics please contact the Membership Secretary at the above e-mail address.

Transport for first NSCCL race 28th Sept

After much deliberation, we have decided to put on a coach for the first NSCCL race at Winsford on Sat 28^th Sept.

Anyone wanting a seat should contact Ian Hodkinson directly at training or via the club email address.

Details as below;

0945HRS DEPARTURE

FROM STAFFORD CRICKET CLUB, RIVERWAY, ST16 3WB.

TRAVEL TO KNIGHTS GRANGE SPORTS COMPLEX, GRANGE LANE, WINSFORD, CW7 2PT.

START BACK 1600HRS APPROX.

Cost is £5 adults & £3 Juniors

Runners & non-runners welcome.

Car Sharing to the NSCCL venues by Senior Athletes

For the first fixture at Knights Grange and the third fixture at Park Hall, to reduce the problem with regard to parking, we must encourage those attending not to arrive individually in a vehicle. It would be best if several people could travel from their home town together, but otherwise, they should arrange to meet up, say, 5 miles away from the Venue and proceed in one vehicle to the Venue Parking Area.

NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY RELAYS AT MANSFIELD

Saturday November 2 (Female 3k legs. Male 5k legs)

Any female or male runners wanting to enter please pass there names Eddie Smith by September 30th.

With the early nights it is time to change to our winter routine.

From the 30th September all evening runners MUST ware high vis tops.

Club rules also allow plain white tops to be used – but these aren’t as visible and should be used only as a last resort.

Please don’t make us stop you taking part by turning up without the right kit.

We also change the location and format of Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday runs.

Monday: Progression group changes to winter routes. All gates apart from the main entrance will be locked from 6pm.

Tuesday: Alternative road run will change to winter routes.

Thursday: No Chase run. Only one road run group running from Riverway following winter routes.

Friday: No Chase or Castle. Meet at Riverway for a road run.

Although we have just started, it is not too late to join us. Our next session is Monday, if you can’t make that then join us next Wednesday.

You’ll be encouraged to jog / walk / jog / walk for gradually increasing longer distances. You will be in a group of people in the same condition as yourself. You’ll soon be jogging continuously and ready to face longer distances.

We offer the first few weeks free of charge so what have you got to loose.

There is no need to pre-register just come along Monday night 6pm for a 6:15pm start at Rowley Stadium (off West Way). Please park in the top car park and walk down to the lower car park (for safety please keep off the road and walk on the grass). We will be on the left hand side of the lower car park (by the bike shed).

Ask for Colin or Kim.

If you can’t make Mondays feel free to come along to the Wednesday session. If you can only make one day a week –  monday or wednesday you can still join us.

Thursday 3rd October

A guest speaker from the local branch of Samaritans will be joining us after the Thursday evening run at the social event at 8.00pm

We will be given an overview of the work of the Samaritans in helping people struggling to cope with difficult thoughts and feelings and the importance of small talk in helping people

Hopefully you can come along and gain an insight on some of the myths and facts around this difficult topic. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions in this informal setting

Peter Williams
Mental Health Champion

Saturday 12th October

#RunandTalk at Cannock Chase Park Run
Stafford Harriers will be hosting a #RunandTalk event which is part of a campaign led by England Athletics supported by Mind with the aim of improving mental health through running.
Anyone wishing to support this event please contact Mark Oliver, Kim Walker or Peter Williams

Peter Williams
Mental Health Champion