Home Nation National Cross Country Championships round up

25.02.20

The Saucony National XC Championships in Wollaton Park saw new champions in the senior event with wins for Anna Moller and Calum Johnson, who followed in the footsteps of his club colleague and 1977 champion, Brendan Foster. Elsewhere the national champions of Northern Ireland and Ulster, Scotland and Wales were also crowned on a a wet weekend.

The conditions in Wollaton Park, Nottingham were wet underfoot and positively waterlogged in places but this could not deny Calum Johnson (handicap -5.1) his first national title as he pushed on the final lap to open up an unassailable lead, winning by over 20 seconds from Tameside's Joe Steward (handicap -2.8). Linton Taylor (handicap -5.2) was the bronze medal winner ahead of pre-race favourite Adam Hickey (handicap -6.2).

Over the 8km course, UK based Danish student Anna Møller (handicap -0.8) was again dominant ahead of Jessica Judd (handicap -1.9) and fast improving Welsh runner Bronwen Owen (handicap -0.8).

The NI & Ulster Senior XC Championships had damp conditions too, although conditions improved for the final race. Neil Johnston (handicap -4.8) was crowned champion in 44:47 ahead of Annadale Striders’ Eskander Turki (handicap -2.9) and Mark Mckinstry (handicap -3.6). The Senior Women’s champion was Emma Mitchell (handicap 0.0) ahead of the returning to form. Catherine Whoriskey (handicap 2.6) and Scottish student, Lauren Wilson (handicap 2.3).

The Lindsays Scottish National Cross Country Championships took place at a cold damp Callendar Park in another mud-fest of action. The Women’s race saw Mhairi MacLennan (handicap 0.1) crowned champion in 39:44, half a minute ahead of Annabel Simpson (handicap 0.2). Jamie Crowe (handicap -5.8) forgot his racing gloves but despite complaining of cold hands was 14 seconds ahead of Jonathan Glen (handicap -5.4) and came home with a gold for both himself and the ever dominant Central AC in the Senior Men’s event.

The Welsh Cross Country Championships at Pembrey Country Park saw a podium clean sweep for Cardiff Athletics. James Hunt (handicap -5.2) was crowned Senior Men’s champion over 10k iwith a good lead over club mates Ciaran Lewis (handicap -4.6) and Dan Nash (handicap -3.7). The Senior Women’s race saw Melanie Wilkins (handicap 1.2) dominate to win by over 30 seconds from Lauren Cooper (handicap 1.2).

Some of the bigger events over the weekend are listed here:

Grand Brighton Half Marathon	- 7,621 finishers
ECCA Saucony English National XC Championships	- 4,985
Hampton Court Half Marathon	- 2,839
Wokingham Half Marathon	- 2,632
Scottish National XC Championships	- 1,790
Winchester 10K	- 1,774