1 December 2009

UPDATE 04/12/09

Charlotte Purdue (AFD) and Jessica Coulson (Stockport) have withdrawn from the Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland under 20 women’s team, who will compete at the European Cross Country Championships on 13 December in Dublin, following medical advice.

Purdue will be replaced by Katie Knowles (Bristol & West) and Eleanor Wimshurst (Bristol & West) will step in for Coulson.

Following an exciting trial event at the McCain UK Cross Challenge, in Liverpool’s Sefton Park on Saturday 28 November, UKA today announced the six full teams which will travel to Dublin for the European Cross Country Championships on 13 December.

Thirty six athletes will cross the Irish sea to compete in a competition at which Aviva Great Britain & Northern Ireland team’s have dominated in recent years. At the 2008 event teams tallied twelve medals, five women’s and seven men’s which will be a tough record to emulate.   

At the trials in Liverpool the first three athletes across the finish line were gifted with automatic selection for the European race. A full race report can be found at: http://www.uka.org.uk/media/news/november-2009/28-11-09-liverpool/

Further places were awarded to:

British 3000m Indoor record holder and 2006 European Cross winner Mo Farah (Newham & Essex Beagles), who has recently completed a period of training at altitude in Kenya, is a key member of the men’s senior team and a favourite for an individual medal.

Laura Kenney, (Royal Sutton Coldfield), Lauren Deadman (Havering & Mayesbrook) and Sonia Samuels (Sale) make up the rest of the women’s senior places and complete a strong team for the championships who could challenge for a team medal.

World Triathlon Champion Alistair Brownlee (Bingley Harriers), who annually targets the Liverpool UK Cross Challenge event for its high level competition in the winter season, is included in the men’s U23 team. Brownlee will run alongside GB&NI regular Mitch Goose (City of Norwich).

Stephanie Twell will return to competition in the U23 women’s team in the Irish capital. The three times European Cross Country junior champion, who is hotly tipped for individual success, further strengthens the impressive team.

Junior teams include Matthew Gillespie (Shettleston Harriers) and cross country regular Nick Goolab (Belgrave Harriers). Also in the team Callum Hawkins (Kilbarchan) who won the European Youth Olympics 3000m title in 2009 and proved consistency at both the Gateshead McCain UK Cross Challenge and Liverpool trials.

Charlotte Purdue (AFD) is back in training after a slight injury concern and subsequent rest period, she joins Lauren Howarth (Leigh Harriers) and Lily Partridge (AFD) to make up an incredible young team who have the chance to take individual and team medals. All have competed for GB&NI previously and hold impressive credentials for such young athletes.

AVIVA GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND TEAM

MEN

Farah (Newham & Essex Beagles); Andrew Lemoncello (Fife); Mike Skinner (Blackheath & Bromley); Chris Thompson (AFD); Andy Vernon (AFD); Benedict Whitby (Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow)

WOMEN

Deadman (Havering Mayesbrook); Kenney (Royal Sutton Coldfield); Freya Murray (Chester Le Street & Dist AC); Samuels (Sale); Katrina Wootton (Bedford & County); Hayley Yelling (Windsor Slough, Eton & Hounslow)

UNDER 23 MEN

Brownlee (Bingley Harriers); Goose (City of Norwich); Ashley Harrell (City of Norwich); Ricky Stevenson (New Marske); Jonathan Taylor (Morpeth); Lewis Timmins (Morpeth)

UNDER 23 WOMEN

Charlotte Browning (AFD); Natalie Gray (Medway & Maidstone); Hollie Rowland (City of Norwich); Jessica Sparke (Woodford Green & Essex Ladies); Stevie Stockton (Vale Royal AC); Stephanie Twell (AFD)

JUNIOR MEN

Richard Goodman (Shaftesbury Barnet); James Wilkinson (Leeds City); Johnathan Hay (AFD); Hawkins (Kilbarchan); Goolab (Belgrave Harriers); Gillespie (Shettleston Harriers) 

JUNIOR WOMEN

Kate Avery (Shildon); Jessica Coulson (Stockport Harriers); Howarth (Leigh Harriers); Partridge (AFD); Beth Potter (Victoria Park City of Glasgow); Purdue (AFD)