26th October 2016

Flashback: Liverpool Cross Challenge/euro Xcountry Trials 2015

We are just one month out from the much-loved Liverpool Cross Challenge in Sefton Park, and as we look ahead to this year’s edition, we flashback to the 2015 event which proved to be a classic.

With the European Cross Country trials incorporated into the meeting, there continues to be plenty up for grabs over the muddy and undulating course. Gemma Steel (coach: Rob Denmark, club: Charnwood) held off eventual silver medallist Kate Avery (Tony Simmonds, Shildon) and the now 5000m European bronze medallist Steph Twell (Mick Woods, Aldershot, Farm & District) in a thrilling race on Merseyside.

Elsewhere, in the men’s senior race it was Ross Millington (Steve Vernon, Stockport) who powered his way to the tape to seal maximum Cross Challenge points in his first cross country outing of the season ahead of the chasing Dewi Griffiths (Kevin Evans, Swansea Harriers) and Tom Lancashire (Vernon, Bolton Harriers), second and third place finishers respectively.

In the junior women’s race, Bobby Clay (Rob Denmark, Invicta East Kent) carried on the strong form she showed at Milton Keynes’ meet two weeks previous to break the tape ahead of World Youth 1500m finalist Harriet Knowles-Jones (Paul Roden, Warrington), with both securing seats on the plane to Hyeres alongside Amy Griffiths (Woods, AFD), third, and the fourth placed Mari Smith (William Alan Winter, Leicester).

Ben Djikstra (Leicester Corinthians), a regular on the Cross Challenge circuit, also made sure of his place in France with a gritty victory in the male juniors category. Digging in deep over the final lap he swept past Alex Yee (Kenneth Pike, Kent) and Mahamed Mahamed (Peter Haynes, Southampton) to earn his first British vest as a junior come December’s championships. 

2016’s British Athletics Cross Challenge kicks off in Milton Keynes on November 12 with the series rolling into Liverpool on November 26. To enter either event, or find out more information, go to the relevant pages here: http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/competitions/the-british-athletics-cross-challenge/