National cross country championships to return to North East after 13 years

The English Cross Country Association (ECCA) has confirmed that the 2026 English National Cross
Country Championships will be held in East Hardwick Park, Sedgefield, County Durham. Organised in
partnership with Sedgefield Harriers and supported by Durham County Council, the championships
are sponsored by SportsShoes.com and will take place on Saturday 21 February. The event was last
staged in North East England in 2013 and will be returning to County Durham for the first time in 25
years.

Steve Gaines, ECCA president, comments: “Sedgefield has already demonstrated that it has the
ability and desire to stage major cross country events. While the English National Cross Country
Championships will represent a significant step up, we know that East Park can deliver a great course
and we have excellent local partners in Sedgefield Harriers and Durham County Council. ECCA, along
I’m sure with event sponsor SportsShoes.com – a northern company itself – will be delighted to bring
the championships back to the North East. It is a region that is passionate about sport and has a long
and rich heritage of athletics, including many past race winners in these championships. Sedgefield is
easy to reach from every direction, so we look forward to welcoming runners from around England
for an excellent event next February.”