INTRODUCTION
The Striders League was introduced in 2006 to support the team captains in encouraging Club Members to enter and participate in Hampshire Road Race League and Today’s Runner Cross Country League (now renamed the Southern Cross Country League (SCCL)) races. The League was the source of some fun during its inaugural season and created extra interest between club members as the season progressed.
The League is split into two competitions, one male and one female. In addition to the aim of increasing participation and members scoring points for taking part, runners can challenge themselves to improve against their achieved Age Related Grading (ARG) results Each runner can increase their score the better they do against their own age banding. In order to encourage members to participate in as many races as possible, additional bonus points are awarded to those who compete in at least 50% of the SCCL and HRRL events. Acquisition of these bonus points can have a significant effect on the final results.
Rules for the 2026-27 Season
General
The number of HRRL races for the new season is 12.
It is currently assumed that 6 SCCL cross country events are also planned for the 2026-27 season although to date (11th August 2026) the SCCL have not yet published a fixture list with dates of the cross country events.
This year, in view of a potential change of Striders’ League co-ordinator, I have decided to keep things simple and revert to the original races within the League i.e. just the 12 HRRL and 6 SCCL races. The consequence of this change will be that the popular Stubbington 10 k (no longer in the Hampshire Road Race League) will not qualify for Striders’ League points. If popular demand warrants it, this race and,indeed, other events can easily be re-instated in subsequent years
This year, the best 10 out of the 12 road races and 5 out of the 6 cross country races will count towards an individual’s total score.
The rules governing the award of league points for this year are detailed below:
Qualifying Race Events
HRRL Events
| Totton 10 k | 30th August 2026 | |
| Overton 5 mile | 6th September 2026 | |
| New Forest 10 mile | 25th October 2026 | |
| Gosport Half Marathon | 15th November 2026 | |
| Victory 5 nile | December TBC | |
| Ryde 10 m | 7th February 2027 | |
| Solent Half Marathon | 14th March 2027 | |
| Salisbury 10m | 11th April 2027 | |
| Alton 10m | 9th May 2027 | |
| Netley 10k | 16th May 2027 | |
| Alresford 10k | 20th June 2027 | |
| Lordshill 10 km | 4th July 2027 |
Note: Some fixtures and dates are provisional. Please check your entry carefully.
Cross Country Races
SCCL Events
The SCCL events qualifying for points are currently assumed to be as follows:
Note that no dates are available at time of writing. The website will be updated when the SCCL fixture list is published.
| Benyon’s Inclosure, Basingstoke | TBA | |
| Alice Holt Forest | TBA | |
| Lord Wandsworth College | TBA | |
| Chawton House, Nr. Alton | TBA | |
| Bourne Woods, Farnham | TBA | |
| Alver Valley | TBA |
3. Scoring
3.1. Basic Scoring
The scoring system is as follows:
As for previous seasons, the scoring system by which league points will be awarded for the road races will be on the basis of the WMA (World Masters Athletics) Age Grading calculator which has become established as an international standard and is widely used for many races – e.g. Park Runs.
The actual points awarded on this basis will be simply ARG( %)/10 expressed to one decimal place So, to quote a couple of examples, an ARG of 70% would give a score of 7.0 points, a score of 63.7% will yield 6.4 points.
The age grading calculators are updated from time to time. Park Runs currently use the 2006/10 version. AS in the previous year, I have decided to utilise the more recent data from 2015.which has been modified from the earlier data due to the fact that world records have been beaten in recent years. The consequence of this change is that individuals will receive slightly reduced age grades for their performance compared with previous years .However, this will apply to all member so will not affect their overall positions in the league at the end of the day! If anyone wishes to check that I have allocated the correct score to them after each race, the calculator is available on the following website:
http://www.howardgrubb.co.uk/athletics/wmalookup15.html
An individual’s total score for the road races will be their best TEN scores out of the twelve road races. Hence, you do not have to run all twelve races to be in with a chance of winning!
In the case of the cross country league races the points awarded will be on the same basis as in previous years. i.e. 5 points for completing a XC league race whilst running for Denmead Striders. Only 5 out of the 6 races will count towards an individual’s total score i.e you can miss one race to gain maximum score for the cross country races.
3.2. Bonus Points
In order to encourage the fullest possible participation in the League events bonus points will be awarded, dependent on the number of events completed.
The basis for awarding bonus points this year will remain unchanged:
- 14 points for completion of 10 league road races
- 13 points for completion of 9 league road races
- 12 points for completion of 8 league road races
- 11 points for completion of 7 league road races
- 10 points for completion of 6 league road races
- 10 points for completion of 5 SCCL races.
- 9 points for completion of 4 SCCL races
- 8 points for completion of 3 SCCL races
The bonus point system will be split into two separate sections one for the road races the other for cross country, with all scores added to give final totals.
The League will run throughout the season with all paid-up members being eligible, results will be updated on the website as soon as possible after each race.
For further information on the Championship or if anyone thinks I have made an error in allocation of their points (I’m not infallible!!!) please contact Graham Clarke either by e-mail or on Club Night.