Main Championship
The Main Championship consists of 24 races which take place throughout the year. The races are classified by terrain (Road, Trail or Fell) and by distance as Short (under 10k), Medium (between 10k and 20k) and Long (over 20k).
The Championship is split into a number of categories. These are Overall, Ladies, Men, Ladies Vet 40+, Men Vet 40+, Ladies Vet 50+, Men Vet 50+, Ladies Vet 60+ and Men Vet 60+.
Everyone who enters the Championship is entered into the Overall Championship. In order to be entered into an age category as well you need to be that age before January 1 that year.
In each race, the first Strider home scores 60 points, the second scores 59, the third scores 58 and so on. If there is a tie, then both runners will get the same score with the next person getting the next but one score. If a Strider does not wish to be entered into the Championship, they must inform the Championship Secretary.
Chip times will be used to determine places if chip timing is available. Otherwise, timings are taken from the published official results. In cases where the Championship states that runners may enter on more than one occasion e.g., parkruns, positions will be determined by ordering everyone’s best performance.
To qualify for entry into the Championship it is necessary to complete at least one race on each terrain (Road, Trail, Fell) and at least one race of each distance (Short, Medium, Long).
Everyone’s best eight scores count towards their final Championship placing, subject to completing all of the required categories.
If a Strider does not finish a race for any reason and receives a DNF result, no Championship points will be awarded. This includes cases where the race organisers fail to notice a discrepancy, but fellow GVS runners do (e.g. unintentional shortcut). It includes runners who fail to finish inside the race cut-off time if there is one. Similarly, any disqualification (e.g. kit check failure) will result in no points being awarded.
If there is a major race issue acknowledged by the race directors which lead to a later change in finishing places, the changed official places will be used to award Championship points.
To get championship points for a race, you must represent GVS in that race. This means you must enter with Goyt Valley Striders as your club (or let the Championship Secretary know if this is not possible). You must also wear a Striders top during the race. This rule may be relaxed for certain races, such as parkrun.
If you take part in at any 6 of the races, you can receive a GVS Championship T-shirt at the next AGM. This is optional and, as part of our sustainability programme, you will only receive one if you say you want one.
Any other issues or disputes regarding the Championship will be considered by the Committee on a case-by-case basis as they arise. The Committee’s decision is final.
Other Series
The Summer Fell Series, Winter Road Series and Mini Championship each consist of 6 races and your best 4 scores count towards your final placing. As with the Main Championship, the first Strider in scores 60 points, the second scores 59 and so on. The Series are split into female and male categories, but there are no age categories. Nor are there terrain or distance requirements for these series. All other Main Championship rules will apply.
Mini Championship
The Mini Championship is 6 of the easier races from the Main Championship. It is open to anyone who hasn’t done any of our chamionship races before, or did 3 or fewer of the championship races the previous year.
You must run 4 of the 6 Mini Championship races to qualify for a Mini Championship t-shirt. If you run six or more Main Championship races, you’ll qualify there, so we’ll transfer you out of the Mini Championship. But we’ll make an exception if the six races are only the six races are exactly those in the Mini Championship, in which case you will qualify for both and can win two t-shirts!
revised January 2025