National Cross Country Championships heads to Sedgefield

Students from Sedgefield Community College visited Hardwick East Park yesterday (February 5), ahead of the 2026 English National Cross Country Championships.

They took part in a series of mini races on part of the course that thousands of runners from across the country will tackle later this month.

The championships will be held on Saturday, February 21, marking the first time the event has returned to County Durham in 25 years.

National Cross Country Championships heads to Sedgefield later this month (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Students from Sedgefield Community College (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Organised by the English Cross Country Association alongside Sedgefield Harriers, the championships will feature 10 separate junior and senior races, starting at 11am.

During their visit, students from four year groups competed in a series of ‘Queen and King of the Hill’ races on part of the course, with prizes awarded to the fastest runners.

With financial support from North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, Sedgefield Harriers is investing additional resources into promoting the championships and encouraging more people to take up the sport.

The project aligns with the mayor’s ambition for the North East to become the UK’s first ‘Region of Sport’.

Students from Sedgefield Community College at the launch event (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Sue Dobson, chair of Sedgefield Harriers, said: “There’s a real buzz around the club and Sedgefield in general as we prepare to host the national championships of our sport. Loads of Harriers have signed up to take part, including some of our junior runners.

“A lot of them are students at Sedgefield Community College and we hope that their energy and enthusiasm will inspire more young people in the area to take up athletics.”

For more information about the championships, visit www.englishcrosscountry.co.uk

Students from Sedgefield Community College (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Lesley Strickland, events and sports lead at the North East Combined Authority, added: “Hosting the Nationals is a fantastic chance to showcase County Durham and inspire people of all ages to get into running.

“Grassroots sport is where healthy habits start, and events like this can spark that first step.”

Student Lewis Amer said keeping active has helped him develop socially.

He said: “I enjoy being active and healthy. I particularly enjoy the social aspects of sport. These are really important to me. I have made lots of friends through having an active lifestyle and also develop many personal qualities like teamwork and communication.”

Students from Sedgefield Community College (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Steven Hepples, leader of sport and promotion of active lifestyles at Sedgefield Community College, said: “Events like this are fantastic for everybody in the local community. This includes the young and the old.

“Providing opportunities to spectate at, or even be a part of, such an event will hopefully inspire more people to lead healthy, active lifestyles.

“Whether trying something for the first time or achieving personal performance goals, we all need to find our own motivation to lead a health active lifestyle. Events like this in our community will support this.

From all of us at Sedgefield Community College, we would like to wish all competitors and organisers every success.