đ  Stand by for a XC treat as the London Cross Challenge takes place on the hallowed turf at Parliament Hill. Spectating is free on the route.
With the London skyline as the breathtaking backdrop and an array of the UK’s top cross country runners set to take part, Hampstead Heath is the place to be for the London Cross Challenge. Taking place on Saturday 7 February it’s the first big athletics event on home soil in 2026.
The London Cross Challenge first took place in 2024 as the London International Cross Country. Abbie Donnelly (senior women’s champion) and Hugo Milner (senior men’s champion) were crowned senior women’s and senior men’s champion respectively, each claiming a 2,000 first prize and sealing their places to represent Great Britain at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships. A memorable day of racing also saw European U20 XC champion Innes FitzGerald stake her claim as one of the brightest young talents in UK running, winning the U20 race by 69 seconds.
2026 PREVIEW
This year’s event will feature a host of races designed to showcase the sport in a unique setting for cross country running (see below for the full timetable).
Races will start and finish next to Parliament Hill Lido on Hampstead Heath and take place on a 2km multi-lap course.  A switchback at the end of each loop, will enable spectators to get up close and personal to every race.
Large parts of the course will be viewable from the start/finish area. And to ensure the crowd doesn’t miss a moment of the action a large screen will be set up along with a PA system to provide a full commentary on the races. Food and drinks will be available to purchase.
Junior races will take place between 11am and 2pm.
Headlining the show are two senior races. The senior women’s race over 8,000m is at 2.15pm and the senior men’s race over 10,000m is at 2.50pm. Â
The senior races will host the Home Countries International & Celtic Nations Cross Country which rotates around the 4 home countries. Teams representing England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will take part. The races will also feature an area competition with teams from the North, Midland, South and East competing against each other.
Bringing up a hat-trick of jeopardy, the senior races are part of the British Athletics Cross Challenge. The London leg is the third race of the 2025/2026 series in which the best cross country runners compete over four races across the winter/spring months.
TICKETS, TIMINGS & TRAVEL
đď¸ Spectating is free on all areas of the course.
đ Timetable
đđ Travel tips: The start of each race is located near to Parliament Hill Fields Lido on Hampstead Heath. The nearest railway station is Gospel Oak (just a few minutes walk) on the London Overground. Buses 24 and 168 stop nearby. If travelling by tube Kentish Town and Belsize Park are both a 10-15 minute walk. Plan your journey at the Transport for London website.
THE COURSE
Parliament Hill in north London is an iconic venue for cross country. The National Cross Country Championships have taken place there on a regular basis since the 1950s. The course, based at Hampstead Heath, is known as the ‘home of English cross country’. Its uphill start (main picture) making for compelling viewing as a sea of athletes jockey for position on one of the toughest courses in the country. The 2km race loop used at the London Cross Challenge incorporates the first half of the uphill start.
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