Why should I join APS United?

APS United provides a unique opportunity for runners from all of the APSOC clubs to join forces in a combined team to achieve individual and team success in the Athletics Victoria winter series of races. In this way, rivals become team mates, friendships are fostered and training partners are found. APS United strengthens the bonds between APSOC athletes, both in a competitive setting and at afternoon teas after races and other social events.

XCR

Between April and September, Athletics Victoria, the peak athletics organisation in Victoria, conducts a winter series of road and cross country championship races. There are ten events in the XCR series, comprising six individual scratch races and four relays. Race distances range from 3.8 km to the half marathon. The AV series attracts both the best athletes in the State, together with large numbers of ordinary club runners.

While individual athletes can run to win State Championships and medals, there is also a strong and healthy teams competition. The men’s and women’s open competitions are graded so that athletes compete against others of a similar standard. There are junior and overage individual and team categories. For the elite athletes, the AV series provides a springboard to national and international competition.

APS United is the team name used by APSOC when entering men’s and women’s teams in the AV series. APSOC enters teams in almost all divisions, so caters for runners of all standards. It also enters strong overage teams, and junior teams where possible.

Running with APS United

Any athlete who is a member of an APSOC club may compete in the AV winter series as a member of APS United unless they are registered as a first claim member with another AV club. Members of other AV clubs may still compete for APS United in winter if they take out alternate first claim membership with their existing club and APS United. Alternate first claim membership allows an athlete to compete for APS United in the winter and another AV club in the summer. In order to compete for APS United, an athlete must register with AV and pay the annual registration fee. Contact your APSOC club representative or any of the APSU contacts for more information.

What does it cost?

AV registration costs $160 for open and $130 for under 20 athletes. An athlete may then choose to buy a series ticket for $135 ($110 under 20) to obtain entry into the six individual championship races, or enter event by event at a cost of $35 per event. APSOC pays the entry fees for the four winter relays, which effectively means four free races for APSU members. If you also wish to compete in AV’s summer track and field competition, there is an all inclusive annual subscription of $220 ($170 under 20) on top of the base registration fee.

Come and join us this season. You will not regret it!

Contacts

AV Competition Convenor – Peter Simm