Cross Country

Key Information

SS Cross Country comprises of all of the long distance running events – cross country, hill and road racing.

The main league within our programme is the Winter League Series. This comprises of a series of races across Scotland that are organised by individual universities or colleges. The races offer a supportive and encouraging environment for everyone to compete in – whether you are a beginner or a well-seasoned XC runner!

Alongside the league series, SS Cross Country also hosts numerous Championship events across all 3 disciplines and competes as a National Squad in the Inter-Districts.

For more information about the races on offer at your University/College please get in touch with your Institution’s Cross Country Club or contact the SS Cross Country Chair on the following details:

Sport Chair: Iona McKay

Contact: scotstucrosscountry@outlook.com

Governing body: Scottish Athletics. Main contact Erin Gillen, National Development Manager, erin.gillen@scottishathletics.org.uk

Upcoming Cross Country Events

You might want to know…

Cross Country is a BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) sport as apart of their Athletic programme! For more information on the whole programme, click HERE.

The Winter League series comprises of 6 events across the Cross Country season – starting in September and finishing in March.

Each athlete’s overall score will be made up of their top 3 performances across the series – hence, the athlete with the fewest points will become the Winter League Champion. Check out the latest standings HERE!

The full scoring policy can be downloaded HERE.

The Scottish Student Cross Country programme includes 5 Championship Events:
- Cross Country Championship
- 5km Relay Championship
- Half Marathon Championship
- 10km Road Race Championship
- Hill Running Championship

Each season, our Cross Country National Squad has the opportunity to compete as team against the other districts of Scotland at the Inter-district Championships.

For more information on how the team is selected, click HERE.

#RUNEQUAL – Following consultation with the student cross country clubs and Scottish Athletics, race distances at the SSS Cross Country Championships have now been equalised – brought in for the 2020 Championships. Read the full report here!

Meet your Sports Chair

Iona McKay

Iona is delighted to be part of the SSS XC Development Group and is very much looking forward to the upcoming season(s). Iona competed for Scotland both on the track (primarily 800m) and cross-country as a junior and is keen to support athlete development from participation to performance.

She is a Level 2 qualified Athletics Coach, currently coaching run, jump and throw with Fife AC; a jog leader with Anster Allsorts; and a Group Fitness Instructor.

Iona encourages health & wellbeing improvement through physical activity for all abilities in her day job as Programme Manager for the NHS. She loves being fit and active, and is studying for her second master’s degree.