Phoenix Athletics and Triathlon club

Cross country

Come October, mud and medals beckon. Phoenix fields strong teams – from the Under 13s to 60 year olds – and regularly gets among the honours in a season packed with exciting racing.

Phoenix takes part in the Cross Country races below amongst others

Sussex County Championships

This historically is the biggest and oldest championship in the county dating back to 1925 and is seen as the pinnacle in the Sussex calendar.

Phoenix in 2011 had Billy White U15’s boys Charlie Grice U17's men heading some fine individual performances by our younger athletes. There were team medals for the U13 boys, U17 men U20 Men. Meanwhile at the separate masters event our over 40,s and over 60's won team medals.

Sussex Cross Country League

A four-race series for all age groups, competing against clubs from all over the county. Races include Goodwood, Plumpton, Bexhill and Stanmer.

Sussex Cross Country Relay Championship

This event takes place in the first week in October over the picturesque Goodwood course. It is great race to test early season form or if new to cross country get a taste for it over the shorter course.

In 2011 Phoenix won both the Men’s and Under 13 boy’s races while also taking team and individual course records. We hope that in years to come they will still be in Phoenix hands.

South of England and National Championships

These are two of the biggest races available on the Cross Country seen and are a must to take part in whatever your age or ability. Most famous of all is the Parliament Hill course that takes place on Hampstead Heath, London. To truly say you have run cross country means you have to take part in one of these classic races, there really is nothing else like it.

In 2011 Phoenix’s Josh Guilmant was the highest ranked senior athlete from Sussex, in 44th place at the National Championship.

UK Cross Challenge

A four race series with the top runners in the country competing in range of races, including the European Trials in November at Sefton Park, Liverpool.

In 2010 Phoenix’s Charlie Grice came 5th in the U17’s and Josh Guilmant 66th in the seniors.

Inter Countries

The inter counties is the season ending finale to the cross country season and includes the world trials selection race. To run this race you have to be selected to run for Sussex though competing and placing well in the Sussex Cross Country Championship or showing good current season form to the team manger. We have had in the past athletes selected from the Inter Counties going on to run for Great Britain at the World Cross Country Championships.

In 2011 Max Pickard won Team Bronze in the U20 Men’s

Club Fun Events and Socials Summer/Winter

We organise club events to promote the fun of running and the social side of the club throughout the year, these events take place in the beautiful National Park of the South Downs so we can take advantage of being located in such a great area for running, these include:

Summer Fun Events - Held on the South Downs on the last Thursday evening of each of May, June, July and August. June is our traditional club race the "Blackcap handicap" held over a 5 miles course (Ditchling Beacon to Blackcap and back). The other three will vary but in 2011 included
"Meet Me At The Juggs, The Snake Downhill Mile, and Jack & Jill Up & Down”. All are  followed by our monthly social in a local pub.  Watch the website/forum/email for details of the Summer Fun Events for 2012, or if you have an idea for a new one please get in touch with Liz Halliday (contact details can be found on the contacts page), we are always happy to try something new.
Winter Fun Events - We will have a fun event for club members, family and friends on Saturday morning of 31 December 2011 probably in Stanmer Park. We hope to follow this with a social in a local cafe. Watch the website/forum/email for more details.