Do you know “what is cross-country running?”
If you don’t know then don’t worry because today in this article we are going to discuss what is cross-country running ?
Cross-Country Running
What exactly constitutes’ cross-country’ has been interpreted differently over the years. Even the IAAF conceded in its rules that owing to the extremely varying circumstances in which cross-country running is conducted in regard to different seasons, climatic conditions, and distances, it is not possible to lay down any rigid legislation for internal standardization of this sport.
For championship and international events, it is, however, laid down that the race shall be run over a course confined, as far as possible, to open country, fields, heathland, commons and grassland.
A limited amount of ploughed land may be included. If the course passes through woodland without any clearly defined path or track, it must be clearly marked for the runners. The traversing of roads of any description should be limited to the minimum.
It is much more difficult to measure distances as accurately as on the road. Further, the exact distances even on the same course may vary from year to year, according to the laces where the flags are placed.
Time is slower because of mud, uneven ground, and long grass. Spiked or studded shoes are necessary to retain some grip. It is actually a game of stamina and strength.
The first English Cross-country Championship as such was staged in Epping Forest in 1876, but all thirty-two competitors went off course and the race was declared void. The 1988 race, held over eleven and a quarter miles at Roehampton was won by Percy Stenning.
The English Cross-country Union ( ECCU ) was founded in 1883, it grew steadily and in 1973 it came under the wing of the world’s governing body, the International Amateur Athletic Federation, which has subsequently helped expand it into a more representative annual World Championship.
In 1986, runners from sixty-one countries took part. The Junior Men’s race in these championships was first helped in 1961.
France held a Women’s National Championship in 1923 and England held its first Women’s National Championship in 1927. The first international women’s match was held at Douai, in France, in 193. But it was not until 1967, that their matches were held regularly. From 1973 they became a part of the IAAF World Cross-Country Championship.
Conclusion
In conclusion, after reading all of the above information we have provided, you will have a clear idea of what is cross-country running.
