The Cross Challenge is back, and winter is the best time to join a club

The clocks are about to go back, the parks are getting muddy, and the British Athletics Cross Challenge has just announced its winter. Three fixtures, presented by Sportsshoes x Nike, bring some of the country's best endurance runners to Cardiff, Liverpool and Nottingham between now and March.

I love this time of year. Cross country is where club athletics feels most like a team sport, and it's the part of the calendar that welcomes almost anyone who's willing to get their trainers dirty.

The dates

• Cardiff, Llandaff Fields, Sunday 8 November. A World Cross Country Tour Silver race, so expect a strong field from the UK and beyond.
• Liverpool, Sefton Park, Saturday 28 November. The official trial for the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the European Cross Country Championships in Serbia in December.
• Nottingham, Wollaton Park, Saturday 13 March 2027. The finale, which is also the British Cross Country Championships and the UK Inter-Counties.

British Athletics says the series welcomes competitors of all levels, from international medallists and Olympians to junior athletes. Entries for Cardiff and Liverpool are open now, with details for Nottingham to follow in the new year.

Why winter is a great time to start

If you've been thinking about joining a club, this is honestly the easiest time to do it. Most clubs have a cross country team and race in a local winter league, where finishing positions add up to a team score. Even if you're not one of your club's scorers, every place you gain pushes another club's runner back, so the runner in 150th matters too. You'll hear that from the teammates cheering you in.

Cross country is also forgiving. Nobody looks at your time on a hilly, muddy course, so there's no pressure to be quick. You just run, do your bit for the team, and go home tired and happy. Our beginner's guide to cross country covers the kit and what to expect at your first race.

Getting involved

The quickest route in is a club training night. Most clubs train on a track at least once a week through the winter, often under floodlights. You can find a track near you and see who trains there, then just ask if you can come along for a session.

Source: British Athletics