Welcome

Please read the Cross Country Information sheets as these provide important information about our OPSSA Otago Cross Country event.

Please note the following entry conditions before submitting any entries.
 

• Runners will be given racebands at the event and do not need to write race numbers on their arms.

• Each participating school must have a team manager at the event.

• Schools will be invoiced $5 for each runner entered.

The completed Year 5 & Year 6 results from your Zone Cross Country event will be the preferred entry method from now on.

The aim is to streamline the entry process, share the workload and maximise the opportunity of participation for runners.
 

• Zone Event Organisers will forward a copy of their completed Zone Event results to crosscountry@opssa.org.nz
   
• OPSSA will confirm entries for the first 10 Year 5 & Year 6 Zone race place getters with their schools and publish race entry lists on the OPSSA website.
   
• Each school will confirm the details of their school Team Manager that will be present on the day.
   
• In the event a top 10 place getter is unable to compete in the OPSSA Otago Cross Country event, the next placed runner from your Zone will be invited.

As Year 7 & Year 8 runners represent their school and not a Zone, Year 7 & Year 8 runners do not need to qualify at a separate Cross Country Zone event.
 

• Schools enter Year 7 & Year 8 runners directly from their school event.
   
• Schools with Year 7 & Year 8 students can enter up to 14 runners in each race.
   
• Please indicate the fastest 3 runners in each race.
   
• The following is an example of what needs to be emailed to crosscountry@opssa.org.nz , ideally in a csv spreadsheet format.

Email a runners First Name, Last Name, Gender and Year Level to crosscountry@opssa.org.nz , should you need to withdraw them from a race.

If they are a Year 5 or Year 6 runner, then we will look to invite the next placed runner from your Zone results.

If they are a Year 7 or Year 8 runner you can include a replacement runner's details.

School Team Managers will pick up a bag from inside the Kaikorai Valley College Gymnasium Foyer that will contain runners individually named racebands.

Notify the Marshals in the finish chute tent if there are any raceband issues.

Please plan time prior to races to ensure all runners racebands correctly fitted.

In addition to Certificates (1st-5th) and Medals (1st-3rd), 4 Trophies are also presented at the event.

• Zone with the lowest first four Year 5 & Year 6 Girls placing aggregate total
   
• Zone with the lowest first four Year 5 & Year 6 Boys placing aggregate total
   
• School with the lowest first four Year 7 & Year 8 Girls placing aggregate total
   
• School with the lowest first four Year 7 & Year 8 Boys placing aggregate total

While generally Zones will have their allowed 10 Year 5 & 10 Year 6 runners in each race, we would encourage each School with Year 7 & Year 8 runners to enter at least 4 Year 7 & Year 8 runners in races where possible to be able to compete for the Trophies.

Race results will be published on the OPSSA website as soon as each race is confirmed.

Team Managers and supporters will be able to use the OPSSA website to let runners know where they placed in races throughout the event.

As I am sure you are all aware, the OPSSA Otago Cross Country event requires a significant number of Marshals to operate safely.

Each Cross Country Zone provides 1, 2 or 3 Marshals depending on its size.

This generally equates to each school providing a Marshal no more than once every 3 or so years.

Please note a Team Manager cannot be a Marshal as Marshals need to be at their position for all 8 races during the day.

Please be in contact with your Zone Organiser about providing Marshals for the OPSSA Otago Cross Country event.

We will provide detailed instructions for each Marshal position prior to the event and there will also a Marshal briefing on the Event Day.