22 May 2012

In-form Jo Pavey (coach: Gavin Pavey) leads a strong Aviva Great Britain & Northern Ireland team into next month’s European Cup 10,000m in Bilbao (Sunday 3 June).

Pavey, who ran the A qualifying standard in the 5000m at the BMC in Manchester at the weekend, is one of nine athletes selected to compete in the 16th European Cup.

Gemma Steel (John Nuttall), Charlotte Purdue (Mick Woods), Hannah Walker (Bud Baldaro), Sonia Samuels (George Gandy) and Freya Murray (Steve Jones) complete the women’s line-up.

The female contingent will be aiming to end Britain’s 11-year wait on an individual podium finish, with Paula Radcliffe the last female Briton to win the event in 2001.

Purdue heads to Spain in excellent form, the Aldershot athlete shaved 30 seconds off her 10,000m personal best (32:03.55) at the Payton Jordan Invitational in California last month. While, Murray will be buoyed by her debut performance at the Virgin London Marathon.

Keith Gerrard (Art Acevedo), John Beattie (John Nuttall) and James Walsh (Mike Baxter) are the male representatives set to compete in the Basque City.

Aviva GB & NI team leader Spencer Barden said: “We’re really pleased to name our strongest available team.

“We go into the competition with high expectations. The timing of the competition is excellent for athletes aiming to hit the qualifying times ahead of the European Championships and Olympics.”

AVIVA GB & NI TEAM

Men

John Beattie (John Nuttall); Keith Gerrard (Art Acevedo); James Walsh (Mike Baxter)

Women

Freya Murray (Steve Jones); Jo Pavey (Gavin Pavey); Charlotte Purdue (Mick Woods); Sonia Samuels (George Gandy); Gemma Steel (John Nuttall); Hannah Walker (Bud Baldaro)