British Athletics today announced that Claire Duck (coach: Mike Baxter) is to captain the 16-strong team at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Kampala, Uganda, set to take place on Sunday 26 March.

Duck, 31, has enjoyed an accomplished series of outings on the cross country circuit over the winter period, with her selection for the team coming on the back of silver and bronze finishes at the Inter-County and English National Championships respectively.

2017 has also seen Duck retain her title of Northern Champion in impressive style, with the Leeds City athlete now heading into the championships in the Ugandan capital full of confidence.

Speaking on the captaincy, Duck said:

“I’m really honoured to have been asked to be team captain for the championships – to represent your country at a global championships is hugely exciting, so to add a team captaincy role to that is unbelievable.”

On the British Athletics team for the championships, she added:

“I think there is a lot to be excited about; the juniors on the team have shown a lot of promise on the domestic and European stage, and the senior women accompanying myself have all worked extremely hard to achieve this opportunity.”

Team Leader for the British Athletics team at the Championships, Spencer Duval added:

“Claire is an athlete who has a wealth of experience, particularly on the cross country circuit, and was something of a natural pick for team captain.

“Like many on the team, this will be her first World Cross Country championships, but I have no doubts that she will step up to the plate in leading by example and giving her all.”

The British Athletics team for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Kampala, Uganda on Sunday 26 March 2017:

Senior Women:

Claire Duck (Mike Baxter)

Emily Hosker-Thornhill (Mick Woods)

Rebecca Murray (Alex Stanton)

Louise Small (Mick Woods)

Junior Men:

Scott Beattie (Mike Bateman)

Ben Davies (Simon Goodwin)

Hugo Milner (Chris Woodhouse)

Luke Prior (Simon Prior)

Jonathan Shields (Michael Thompson)

Sam Stevens (Alan Maddocks)

Junior Women:

Phoebe Barker (Richard Owen)

Gillian Black (Michael Johnston)

Cari Hughes (Andrew Walling)

Anna MacFadyen (Doug Cowie)

Amelia Quirk (Beverly Kitching)

Victoria Weir (Bud Baldaro)