Cross Country
Junior Middle Distance and Cross-country
Cross Country
Junior Cross Country
Our Junior Middle Distance Program, designed for athletes aged 9 to 18, offers training in both track and cross-country events. Athletes are placed in groups based on their age and experience. Training focuses on building endurance, improving pacing, and developing race strategies to help athletes improve in both distance running and cross-country challenges.
Holland Sports lead junior coach, Jeff Manson, supports techniques for long-distance running, stamina building, and mental toughness. With a mix of track sessions and cross-country races, athletes will be prepared for both competitive meets and endurance events. The program also provides opportunities to progress to county, regional, and national competitions, helping athletes reach their full potential. Join us to push your endurance, enhance your performance, and achieve your goals in long-distance and cross-country running!
Training Sessions:
Junior Middle Distance/Cross-country (School Year 5/6 – Year 8): Tuesday starting at 17:30 (75 mins) at the Mill Lane Track
Intermediate Middle Distance/Cross-country (School Year 9 – Year 12): Tuesday starting at 19:00 (90 mins) at the Mill Lane Track
A typical session on the track starts with a sequence of warm-up drills and strides aimed at activating the major muscle groups, led by one of Holland Sports’ junior coaches. This is then followed by a series of repetitions around the track (for instance 6 lots of 600 metres) with a walk recovery between them. The aim is always to complete the session at a consistent pace rather than run the first two or three efforts very quickly and not finish: this takes practice. The session would finish with a very social jog warm-down around the track.
The junior middle distance group will typically run shorter distances than the intermediate middle distance group
Please note: Changing facilities are limited so most athletes come ready changed to the track. Toilets are available in the clubhouse.
Junior Middle Distance/Cross-country (School Year 5/6 – Year 8): Thursday starting at 17:30 (75 mins) at the Mill Lane Track
Intermediate Middle Distance/Cross-country (School Year 9 – Year 12): Thursday starting at 19:00 (90 mins) at the Mill Lane Track
In exceptional circumstances, athletes in school year 8, may be invited to train with the older intermediate age group. Any change would be made after discussion with the athlete, parents and coach, taking into consideration the physical and the emotional development of the athlete.
Pupils in School Year 13 (aged 17/18) would be invited to transition into the Senior Middle and Long Distance squad, led by Neil Danby. Again, this would be after discussion with the athlete, the junior and senior coaching team and parents.
On-line Strength and Conditioning Session (School Year 5 – Year 12): Friday 17.30 (40 mins)
Aimed at the junior and intermediate middle distance and cross-country athletes at Holland Sports, this on-line session is led by Emma Young, a qualified gymnastics instructor. The junior middle distance lead Jeff Manson sits in on each session. The session aims to improve core stability and general strength.
