In the Northeast, most promoters have moved to the new categorizations for 'cross racing. However, for women, there are typically only two fields anyway - B (3,4) or Elite (1,2,3). I have been racing as a 4, which is what is on my license, but am racing alongside the 3s as well.

We don't really have a true "beginner" category here - you kind of have to jump in with both feet.

SheFly