• When: Select Saturdays in autumn/winter (see below)

• Where: Various locations in and around Greater Manchester (see below)

• What: Cross country racing

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While Manchester Frontrunners is primarily a road-running group, we also take part in cross country every autumn and winter through the MACCL (Manchester Area Cross Country League). Each MACCL season consists of five races that take place from October to February, each at a different site in Greater Manchester or its surrounding areas. It’s a fun (if muddy) team event with more camaraderie than the usual road running event, and what’s more, we have a club tradition of bringing home-baked goods along to share after the race. What’s there not to like?

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Members should expect to receive details about the upcoming cross-country season in early September. For anyone interested in joining the season later on, please contact our club secretary and cross country captain Jono Guildford. The cost for 2025/26 was only £6 plus platform fee for the whole season (2026/7 fee TBC), though due to the Sefton Park match being part of the British Cross Championship, this match will incur an extra separate £3 charge to enter.

 

What should I expect in a cross-country race?

Cross country takes place off-road on open or rough terrain; this is mostly grass, but may include mud, woodland, hills, obstacles, and small bodies of water. All the courses are of similar length but vary; the women’s race is a maximum 8 km (usually somewhere between 7 and 8 km) and the men’s maximum 10 km (usually somewhere between over 9 and 10 km). The women’s race usually starts at 1:30 pm and the men’s race at 2:30 pm.

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It’s a team event, and everyone’s time can contribute to the team results (though please don’t worry about “being slow”, as the way the points work means that you cannot cause your team to do worse than if you had not taken part).

 

What are the exact dates and locations?  

The dates and locations for the 2026/27 MACCL season are as follows (note that they may be subject to change):

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• Match 1: Woodbank Park, Stockport (10/10/26)

• Match 2: Sherdley Park, St Helens (14/11/26)

• Match 3: Sefton Park, Liverpool (28/11/26) – part of British Cross Challenge

• Match 4: Tatton Park, Knutsford (16/01/27)

• Match 5: Heaton Park, Manchester (13/02/26) 

 

All of these are easily accessible from Manchester by car, and some by public transport. Where public transport isn’t a suitable option, we can arrange car-pooling.

 

What should I wear?

To take part in cross country, we highly recommend that you purchase suitable shoes for off-road running (either trail shoes or spikes). In line with the rules of the league, you must also wear an official club top (i.e., the blue MFR vest or T-shirt, which may be worn over another layer if you like).

 

I don’t think I can make all races. Can I still sign up?

While you are entered into all five races, we know that things can get in the way, so don’t worry if you can’t make them all. All we ask is that you commit to at least one race per season.