9th November 2007

Gateshead International Cross Country Races

9 November 2007

 

International Cross Country Races make a welcome return to Gateshead International Stadium this winter following a 10-year absence.

 

And amongst those planning to step out and open their Cross Challenge campaigns on Saturday 10 November are Junior European Cross Country champion Steph Twell (Aldershot, Farnham & District) who will compete in the senior women’s race, and Frank Tickner (Wells City).

 

Twell, who will still compete in the junior age group during 2008, is eager for high-class opposition as she builds up her preparations for the defence of her European Cross Country title.

 

“I’m looking at this as part of my long term development,” she said. “Racing against the seniors means I have to continually raise my game, whilst the increase in distance means I’m keeping in touch with the sort of distance I’ll face in the World Cross Country next year – which will be 6km as opposed to the European Cross Country which is 4km.

 

“I’m looking forward to the domestic competition but also its great to have some overseas athletes there because I won’t know what to expect and I’ll be running blind in terms of what could happen. Ultimately I just want to have a strong solid run.”

 

As well as Frank Tickner, Mike Skinner (Blackheath and Bromley), Billy Farquharson (Notts AC), Tom Humphries (Cannock & Staffs) and Birmingham Cross Country winner Jean Ndaysenga (Birchfield Harriers) will step out on Saturday, over the 8.7k course in the Senior men’s race.

 

Meanwhile Twell will face former European Cross country champion Hayley Yelling (Windsor, Slough, Eton & Harrow), UK Steeplechase number one Hatti Dean (Hallamshire) and Helen Clitheroe (Preston Harriers) over the 7.3k course senior women’s race.

 

The Gateshead International Cross Country Races are the first round in this winter’s four event UK Cross Challenge series.

 

The next race in the series will be the European Cross Country Trials in Liverpool two week later on the 24 November.

 

For timetable and start lists please see the Gateshead Cross Country programme attached below.