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= Birmingham & District Invitation Cross Country League =

The Birmingham & District Invitation Cross Country League is a cross country running league in the Midlands. The league was formed in Birmingham in 1925 between six harrier running clubs but has grown to include over fifty member clubs. The league consists of three divisions which each stage four races between October and February. Athletes must be seventeen years old before the commencement of the season to be eligible to compete.

Formation & First Season
The inaugural meeting to discuss the formation of a Birmingham league was held at the Albion Hotel on April 9th 1925. Representatives of five clubs attended the meeting: Wednesbury Harriers, Dudley Harriers, Harborne Harriers, Lozells Harriers and Smethwick Harriers. In addition, West Bromich Harriers sent their support for the league.

After unanimous agreement, the first general meeting was held three months later at the White Horse Hotel on July 16th 1925. The league was formally named “The Birmingham and District Invitation Cross Country League” and an initial membership of 10/6d was agreed. The “Sunday Mercury & News” committed to presenting a trophy to the league champions.

In anticipation of the first season another meeting was held at the White Horse Hotel. It was decided there were to be 10 fixtures competed in a “Home & Away” style between clubs. An application had been put forward to the Midlands Counties Amateur Cross Country Association for permission to run the league but their “sanction was not forth-coming”. Despite this the first races were held on October 31st 1925 with each race commencing at 3 pm.

The M.C.A.C.C.A agreed to a permit for the league to be run from November 1925. The permit did not cover the races that had already been held. As such the first races of the league were void and had to be re-run.

The first season ended in a tie with gold medals being awarded to both teams.

Subsequent League Changes
After completion of the first season Small Heath Harriers proposed changing from home and away fixtures to combined races of all participating clubs. The change was agreed.

Due to the increased popularity of the league, in 1931 the league split into divisions. They were “to be ran the same as the football leagues”.

League Format
As competition in the league is solely by invitation, only member clubs can compete. The league currently consists of three divisions subject to the number of competing clubs. Each season has four races which must be approximately 10,000 metres. A “six to score” system is used meaning the team with the lowest aggregated score is deemed the winner. At the end of the season the the three lowest and highest scoring teams get promoted and relegated divisions respectfully.

Runners of Note
Jack Holden - Marathon

Allan Rushmer - 3 Mile

Basil Heatley - Marathon