5 February 2010

Top domestic competition is guaranteed at this year’s McCain City Challenge series with a strong startlist confirmed for the first event in Sheffield on 7 February.

Teams representing Sheffield Flames, Glasgow Cobras, Manchester Warriors, Birmingham Falcons, London North Lions, London South Sharks, Newcastle Angels and Cardiff Dragons will meet at the English Institute of Sport in South Yorkshire to battle for a title won five times by the Sheffield Flames captained by World Heptathlete Champion Jessica Ennis.

A rich mixture of established international stars and aspiring juniors will line up together in the same team as they compete for over £30,000 in prizes.

IAAF World Youth heptathlon champion Katarina Thompson and 60m hurdles silver medalist Jack Meredith join top club athletes from the North West to compete for Manchester Warriors.

London North Lions return to competition stronger than ever with Nadia Williams, who began her indoor season in great form at the London Open with win in the triple jump, and Gianni Frankis, fresh from his 60m hurdles GB&NI representation at the Aviva International Match in Glasgow.

Title defenders Sheffield field an impressive pole vault pairing in Emma Lyons and Luke Cutts who returns to competition just one week after his second place finish at the Aviva International Match. Cutts will be challenged by experienced vaulter Scott Simpson representing the aptly names Cardiff Dragons.

The Newcastle Angels give James Buck an outing on the flat and Richard Kilty two chances at victory in the 60m and 200m, while Kevin Sempers adds experience to the team as he returns to competition as a combined eventer.

2008 Olympic finalist Tom Parsons prepares for the World Indoor trials with a competitive outing for the Birmingham Falcons while Catherine Holdsworth, who was recently selected to represent GB&NI at the forthcoming Combined Events International, lines up against fellow multi-eventer Edward Dunford looking for maximum points across an array of disciplines.

Chris Baillie, who ran for the Commonwealth Select team at the Aviva International Match in Glasgow, steps out in the 60m hurdles for Glasgow Cobras against a quality field including U23 European medalist Lawrence Clarke, Gianni Frankis and Jack Meredith.

Cardiff Dragons charge into competition with Imogen Miles working across multipul disciplines while experienced Combined Eventer Caryl Granville focuses on just the 800m. 2009 City Challenge athletes Tom Marley and Bryony Raine return in the men’s 800m and pole vault respectively.

Spectator entry is FREE!

Full details can be found at: http://www.uka.org.uk/competitions/mccain-city-challenge/