10th April 2008
World University Gold For Fullerton
8 April 2008
An individual gold medal by Faye Fullerton, hot on the heels of her World Cross Country appearance led the British Women’s team to victory in the 16th World University Cross Country Championships on Sunday 6 April, in Mauqeunchy, France.
In the men’s race, Andy Vernon’s 6th position helped secure a silver medal for the Men’s team.
In challenging underfoot conditions, Fullerton (St Mary’s) overtook Fionnula Briton of Ireland in the final 200 metres of the 6.3 km course, to secure the World title. She was followed home by Stacey Johnston (Birmingham) (7th place), Felicity Milton (Durham) (12th), Sarah Tunstall (York St John) (13th) and Andrea Woodvine (Birmingham) (18th). The girls beat Australia and Ireland to ensure that the British Women retained the World team title for the third year in a row.
It bought Fullerton’s medal tally for the World University Cross to three medals, having also formed part of the victorious women’s team in 2004.
Andy Vernon (St Mary’s) finished strongly to take 6th place in the men’s race. He was followed home by Keith Gerrard (St Mary’s) (14th place), Rob Bugden (17th) (UWIC), Rory Fraser (Leeds Met) (24th), John Heneghan (34th) and Adam Grice (43rd).
Despite driving snow on the final lap of the 10.8 km course, the men’s team packed well to take silver behind hosts France.
Women
1. Faye Fullerton GB 22.36
2. Fionnula Briton Ire 22.39
3. Ikram Zougiali Mar 22.41
Other GB places
7. Stacey Johnson 23.19
12. Sarah Tunstall 23.25
13. Felicity Milton 23.36
18. Andrea Woodvine 23.46
Team
1. GB (20 points = 1, 7 & 12 places)
2. Aus (30 points = 4, 6 & 20 places)
3. Ire (33 points = 2, 8 & 23 places
Men
1. Najim Elqady Mar 36.14
2. Liam Adams Aus 36.19
3. Stephan Hohl Ger 36.24
GB places
6. Andy Vernon 36.38
14. Keith Gerrard 37.19
17. Rob Bugden 37.24
24. Rory Fraser 37.45
34. John Heneghan 38.24
43. Adam Grice 38.48
78 ran
Team
1. Fra (38 points = 4, 7, 8 & 19 places)
2. GB (61 points = 6, 14, 17 & 24 places)
3. Aus (66 points = 2, 13, 22 & 29 places)
Stacey Johnson, Sarah Tunstall, Faye Fullerton, Felicity Milton, Andrea Woodvine