Dc cross country essentials for winter advice pls

[Felixcatmeww]

My dc have started x country running with an athletics club (cross country is autumn /winter, track & field come spring)
They will be training out in all weathers, what clothes would you suggest. At the moment their group all seem to be in normal runners, Nike pros & t-shirts, please help a rookie Athletics mum!

What age and how serious are they?

I’d say normal running trainers, leggings (or whatever boys wear?), long sleeve wicking sort of shirt and some sort of waterproof layer.

Mine runs cross country and honestly she often just runs in a t-shirt even in winter as she says she gets hot. 🤷🏻‍♀️ but a waterproof is important for them to at least take with them. And maybe just a hoodie to throw on as there is usually a lot of waiting around.

13 & 11, they are enjoying it immensely!

It's the Canterbury joggers that you can put on/take off over shoes that are ubiquitous in our athletics club. They turn up in hoodies and canterbury trousers, and peel layers on/off depending on what they are doing.

A lightweight running waterproof is a good idea.

There are also a lot of dryrobe type robes on after a race, especially on rainy days.

Take a large bin bag to stand on for footwear changing and to put dirty clothes in. For competitive cross country events you will need cross country spikes in to help grip. Ordinary running trainers will be too slippery in anything other than dry conditions. It is fine to wear long sleeves and full leggings in cold dry conditions but often in rainy weather you are better in vest and shorts. Skin dries quicker than clothing.

Thanks so much for all the tips, if anyone could link me some of the items mentioned especially the waterproof tops. I have one girls prone to chesty coughs so want to make sure she's well equipped!

Primark do their versions of Dryrobes ( Pri-robe??) but much much cheaper ( around 50). They are great for this sort of thing as can stay warm and dry and just take off at the last minute and put on afterwards so don’t get cold. . I know they have a bad rep but honestly they are designed for exactly these scenarios. Mine take them to rugby tournaments.

My DD started xc at 9, she has finally decided that she is moving into combined events so no more standing around in muddy fields! I've had 5+ years of xc so this is my advice

Wellies - to walk the course prior to the race (unless of course it is completely dry)

Cross country shoes (spikes) - then buy a selection of different spike lengths from Amazon. (Look on ebay/vinted for second hand as they are young)
The cross country spikes are different to track spikes, more sturdy

Most of the athletes here wear a dry robe or similar

This stool is brilliant - as you can wash it - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Portable-Lightweight-Capacity-Retractable-Collapsible/dp/B09LHDKNDR/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2Q0BHDSRCD4NF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IkYmbkIwHdJVCHAIBZ70yimnRHjTmQhTJH2dGqQpXna9nHckhosspYP39uE7Jy0qVvvO-31Npgy6bAIeiRUz1YZpi5zez3ghwW9ZLrRdUzUvXC9OllI9otJb_5iOERJPhabITdSWv3rhlADN4f7H-30yPQKl_oTSd67lpeh0GHdhK5kY-WlNJth4XAnJneil-KOOnIBifVqhMs6SOc9NyDrWMSxXPrzRlt0tl20vIDAKHgEVpo0Ldt9gpJZu2F4xSVepwTs9l7ZT3sPTMXrxDN7FveizbuSgfw1e5euWa54.2s7LUEc9CjJkDnHPbhgnQTACfKpdJ_25dc7gsE5aRbY&dib_tag=se&keywords=plastics+collapse+stool&qid=1725973226&sprefix=plastics+collapse+stool%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-5

Bin bag

You need sturdy waterproof boots. And warm clothes!! Lots of standing around as a spectator

They will need spikes or at the very least good trail shoes. Road running shoes are useless in mud. Traditional XC race kit (which will likely be supplied by the club) is shorts and singlet. Wear whatever works for training. Dry robes are now a big thing in winter running and cycling (adopted from the swimmers). So, track tops and zip off Canterburys for pre-race/warm-up, and then a lovely big dry robe for after - it also stops you getting mud all over the car on the way home if there are no changing facilities.

trail shoes, ask the teacher what they will need, depending on terrain.

a boot dryer and/or place to store wet & smelly shoes outside.

a flask with hot chocolate for after the run

a towel (the micro fibre ones from sports stores are great and can double up as blankets)