XCS Editorial

XC parkrun - Cofton Park

August 2026 saw the start of the long awaited Cofton Park parkrun and one of the few true "cross country" parkruns in the UK. There...

XC Calendar 2025/26

The UK cross country calendar for 2025/26 is mostly finalised, although a few venues are still To Be Announced (TBA). Also the full series dates/venues...

Customer Reviews?

Dear XCS Customers  I've just added the 'Judge.me' reviews app to the site (11 February 2025) and will be asking everyone who buys in the...

Thirty years of dirt: the European XC Championships (est 1994)

The European Cross Country Championships have been a cornerstone of the athletics calendar since their inception in 1994. ...

FFH1: International Cross Country Championships 1924

On the first Friday of every month, I take a look back at an interesting moment or event from the sport's history, just because I...

XC Spikes v Trail Shoes in 2026

Running clubs around the country grapple with competing opinions on whether trail shoes are a valid alternative to spikes during the cross country season. XCS...

Adidas XCS XC Spikes - AW2024 Review

According to Adidas these are "Cross-country running spikes made in part with recycled materials. Own the course, and crush your time goals in these adidas...

Hoka Crescendo XC Spikes Review - AW24

Hoka say: "Built off the blueprints of the Crescendo MD, the new Crescendo XC delivers an approachable race flat for the cross-country crowd. Geared for...

New Balance FuelCell XC7 v5 - AW24 XC Spike Review & Weigh-In

A review of the New Balance XC7 v5 AW24 xc spike, including a surprise XCS Water Absorption Test ...