HPH Off Road Championship 2018-19

Who’s going to follow in the footsteps of Rebecca Gray and Scott Watson and be crowned Hyde Park Harriers Off Road Champions for 2018/19.

The competition is open to all first claim members who compete in these designated races and who have paid their Club subscription in full. There will be separate identical competitions for men and for women.  The best six performances for each member will be totalled.  Where two or more members have scored an equal number of points at the end of the season, final positions will be determined on head-to-head and if these are equal then positions are tied.  As a general rule only members who are current members at the end of the year (31^st March) will be eligible for awards.  With this as with all other matters the decision of the committee will be final.

The club is affiliated to UKA therefore we are obliged to follow their rules with regard to transfer of race numbers. If a member gives/receives  their number without using the official transfer system then they will be disqualified from scoring points in that race and repeat offenders maybe disqualified from all club competitions in that year.  Members should be aware that some race organisers (eg Abbey Dash) have no system for the transfer of race numbers.

Performance criteria will be based on finishing position. This year we will have three divisions, (Premier, First and Second).  There will be 20 named members in the Premier and First divisions (the appropriate promotions and relegations will have taken place) and everyone else will be in the Second division.  The fastest Premier/First Division member at each designated race receives 20 points, decreasing by one point for subsequent finishers.   The fastest Second Division member receives 20 points, decreasing by one point for subsequent finishers.  Where twenty plus runners compete then one point will be awarded for twentieth and each subsequent placing.  Members who join the club during the year will automatically be placed in the Second Division.

At the end of the competition the members in positions 1 to 5 in the First and second Division will be promoted to the Premier/First Division and replace those who have finished in positions 16 to 20 in the Premier/1st Division for the forthcoming year.  If any member finishing in positions 1 to 5 in the First Division does not renew their membership, then the member finishing sixth will be promoted to the Premier Division.  If more than 5 members have not competed in the current year they will be automatically relegated.

So what have we in store this year –

The Off Road series consists of ten designated races.

I’m a little late with this preview so round one had 20 members take part (full report due asap) and round 2 is already sold out and has 26 Harriers showing on the entry list.

Apperley Bridge Canter, Pudsey 10k and the East Leeds 10k are always popular and are open for entries.  The ABC and Pudsey have been regular club rounds while East Leeds was a welcome addition last year.

Later in the year we will be at the ever popular and always well supported by the club Kirkstall 7, new to the championship this year the Holly Hustle (22k) and then boxing day and its the usual Chevin Chase.

To finish the year we will have the Temple Newsam 10 which has quickly become a favourite of many and new this year the National XC championships as they are being held in Leeds.

Our top two divisions are below, the 2nd division is open to everyone else –

Have fun, and please send in any race reports to the club email 🙂

Off Road