11 March 2016

The British Athletics Inter-Counties incorporating the Cross Challenge Final takes place this Saturday at Cofton Park as the cross country season draws to a close in Birmingham. 

Welshman Dewi Griffiths (coach: Kevin Evans, club: Swansea) leads the way in the senior men’s standings after victory on home turf for the first time at the Cardiff Cross Challenge in January. This win helped the 24 year-old climb to the top of the rankings on 108 points, three clear of his rivals.

However, other entrants include the English National Cross Country champion, Jonny Hay (Mick Woods, Aldershot Farnham & District) with Avon & Somerset’s Owain Jones (Conrad Milton, Bristol & West) and Essex’s Adam Hickey (Eamonn Martin, Southend), last year’s overall Cross Challenge winner, are also within touching distance of the series title.

In the senior women’s race, Louise Small (Mick Woods, Aldershot Farnham & District) has a chance to win the Cross Challenge for the first time with fellow entrants Elle Vernon (Steve Vernon, Stockport) and Kate Avery (Tony Simmons, Shildon) close behind in the race for the top prize.

Avery won in Antrim to move up the overall standings with Small and Vernon remaining consistent across the five fixtures both collecting runner-up spots throughout the series.

Junior leaders include Harriet Knowles-Jones (Paul Roden, Warrington) in the U20 women and Jonathan Shields (Sheffield & Dearne) in the U20 men. Both will have a chance to secure victory at the UK CAU Inter-Counties and win a maiden Cross Challenge title.

With double points on offer in this Cross Challenge event, it promises to be a thrilling finale. The five race series started in November at Tear Drop Lakes in Milton Keynes before making stops in Liverpool, Antrim and Cardiff. The schedule starts at 11am on Saturday morning with the junior men’s race kicking off proceedings.  

There will be social media updates on @BritAthletics on Saturday and a full report on the website shortly after the event. 

Click here for programme entry lists for the British Athletics Inter-Counties and Cross Challenge final.