OXFORD MAIL CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE

THERE will be a new race for the youngest athletes when the league gets under way again next month.

Organisers are introducing a ‘Race 0’ for boys and girls aged eight and under, which will take place before the start of the traditional programme.

The new format will be introduced in round one at Ascott-under-Wychwood on Sunday, November 3.

League manager Luke McNeill said: “Due to the superb level of participation by younger runners, we have needed to update the race format in order that races can be run and judged safely and fairly.”

Race 0 will see places, but not times recorded, with the traditional under 11 category following on.

Girls aged nine or ten on September 1 will compete in Race 1 where only the first three home will be timed, with the remainder just getting places.

The same will happen in Race 2 for boys aged nine and ten.

OXFORD MAIL LEAGUE FIXTURES

1st round

Sunday, November 3: Ascott-under-Wychwood.

2nd round

Sunday December 1: Culham Park, near Abingdon.

3rd round

Sunday, January 5: Middleton Cheney (tbc).

4th round

Sunday, February 2: Cirencester Park.

5th round

Sunday, March 2: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell.