State Series XC

Hi

These might be really stoopid questions but............

I'm a bit confused of the different categories for XC races, can someone explain them to me.  For example, at what age do you become a vet, master, super vet/master and what is sport??

Also, do the women race with the men or is there a separate race for them.  I assume all categories of women go together as there are so few of them?

I'm quite tempted to 'have a go' but need to know I'll not be totally out of my depth too.  Are the courses very technical or more built for speed?

Ta muchly

J