Cross Country Scoring & Qualification
Cross Country running can be great fun and helps to build many essential life skills. The emphasis for all younger athletes should be on completing the challenge and running for the team. We would encourage parents to highlight the fun element of running and meeting friends. Athletes will all grow and develop at different stages and everyone has good and not so good days. There should be no pressure on athletes as this does not help them to perform better. The best athletes are happy, relaxed and chilled athletes who can control their breathing and energy levels and switch on when needed. Try not to talk about the race with the athletes beforehand. Let them raise any questions they may have. Afterwards, praise them for completing the challenge rather than the result. The more fun we can have at this young age the longer the athletes will want to run in their lives.
Cross Country running can be great fun and helps to build many essential life skills. The emphasis for all younger athletes should be on completing the challenge and running for the team. We would encourage parents to highlight the fun element of running and meeting friends. Athletes will all grow and develop at different stages and everyone has good and not so good days. There should be no pressure on athletes as this does not help them to perform better. The best athletes are happy, relaxed and chilled athletes who can control their breathing and energy levels and switch on when needed. Try not to talk about the race with the athletes beforehand. Let them raise any questions they may have. Afterwards, praise them for completing the challenge rather than the result. The more fun we can have at this young age the longer the athletes will want to run in their lives.
Focus on the Team
A team normally has 6 members and the scores of the best 4 finishers are counted. Scores are based on finishing positions. Usually 1st place gets 1 point, 2nd gets 2 points and so on. So if an athlete finishes in 68th place they get 68 points. The points are added up for the top 4 in each team and the team with the lowest points score wins. St. Cronan’s puts a strong emphasis on athletes running for their team-mates, no matter their position in the race, as every point counts.
A team normally has 6 members and the scores of the best 4 finishers are counted. Scores are based on finishing positions. Usually 1st place gets 1 point, 2nd gets 2 points and so on. So if an athlete finishes in 68th place they get 68 points. The points are added up for the top 4 in each team and the team with the lowest points score wins. St. Cronan’s puts a strong emphasis on athletes running for their team-mates, no matter their position in the race, as every point counts.
County Medals are normally given to the top 3 teams with all 6 members receiving medals. At the County championships medals are also given to the top 12 individuals.
Running in other Age Groups
Young athletes can normally move up one age group only. For example, those born in 2014 are currently u11. These athletes can run in both the u11 (uneven) and u12 (even) championships and sometimes the different distances and courses suit different athletes.
Young athletes can normally move up one age group only. For example, those born in 2014 are currently u11. These athletes can run in both the u11 (uneven) and u12 (even) championships and sometimes the different distances and courses suit different athletes.
Progression to Munster
If athletes have done well in the County championships, then they should run in the Munster competition as the standard in Clare is normally very high. The Munster competition is normally only for u9 up so younger athletes should run in the even and uneven county championships as it may be the last opportunity for a few months to run for the club.
If athletes have done well in the County championships, then they should run in the Munster competition as the standard in Clare is normally very high. The Munster competition is normally only for u9 up so younger athletes should run in the even and uneven county championships as it may be the last opportunity for a few months to run for the club.
Progression to All-Ireland
Athletes must qualify based on their Munster results for the Even and Uneven Age All-Ireland. Currently the following can qualify: u11 to u19 age groups only. Top 12 individuals in Munster, top 4 club teams in Munster, top 4 county teams in Munster. A county team for the All Ireland consists of 10 people (6 to score) and a club team consists of 6 people (4 to score).
Athletes must qualify based on their Munster results for the Even and Uneven Age All-Ireland. Currently the following can qualify: u11 to u19 age groups only. Top 12 individuals in Munster, top 4 club teams in Munster, top 4 county teams in Munster. A county team for the All Ireland consists of 10 people (6 to score) and a club team consists of 6 people (4 to score).
Athletes must register to run in both Clare and Munster competitions and a link will be sent on the chat when this opens.
Best of luck and embrace the mud and dirt!
