Cross Country Debut - What do I wear?

[xsquared]

I own a pair of trail running shoes - Scott Supertrac 2, so do I need spikes?

The terrain is dry gravel and hard grassy path.

I've not done xc but my son has. I would say for that ground surface and how dry it's been trail shoes should be fine.
Spikes are good for wet muddy ground where you need the grip.

Good luck - it always looks like really hard work!

Trail shoes definitely!

I did my first couple of XC last season - felt like I was back at school running round the school pitches again 😂

Will need to gee myself to do some more this season!

Thank you for your replies.

I did actually run on wet grass a couple of months ago in Scotland in my trail shoes, so I'm hoping it will be okay for at least next week. I think mud season happens a little later so I won't worry about getting spikes yet!

I've not done it myself either, but plenty of experience of attending to supporting our club.
Agree that at the moment the ground is still fine for trail shoes as its been such a dry summer and the surface you describe sounds pretty firm. My son only started using his spikes from January last year when he had a race in pouring rain (and they were def needed for the Parliment Hill quagmire in February!). Some of his team mates use masking tape round their feet if it's really craggy mud to keep their shoes on!
Good luck and well done for giving it a go, I'm too scared even though people of all ages and abilities seem to take part in our league.

Trail.shoea are fine for getting started. I do about 5 or 6 cross country league races during the winter and I did get some spikes. The grip is a lot better and they don't get as heavy in the mud. They last for years especially if you remember to wash them after races.

Go for it, our league has women of all ages, sizes and abilities. Its also very cheap compared to more commercial events. My running club pays all the subs for you as part of your membership.

Thank you both. I'll brave a couple of races and see whether I still like it!

@Galarunner I am not the fastest and was initially apprehensive but knowing that you don't have to be did put the pressure off. Our club is very supportive of as many members participating and not just the fasties.

You'll be fine without spikes probably until a lot closer to December.

I did XC for the first time with my club last year and wore trail shoes for the first 2 races. I did buy some second hand spikes off the running buy and sell group on Facebook and for £20 they've done me really well.

They do feel weird initially I have to say, there's nothing to them!

Well, I went and ran it.

I really wasn't expecting it to be so seriously competitive! Still, I think the adrenaline kept me going and I did manage to score a point for my club in the end.

The conditions were dry and grassy but trail shoes worked vine and I think I may even have got away with road.

The nearest course to me is notoriously steep and muddy and I'd like to invest in a pair of spikes then.