Milner and Gibbon win Cross Challenge at Milton Keynes

Hugo Milner (handicap -6.3) and Jess Gibbon (handicap -2.0) sealed victories at the second British Athletics Cross Challenge fixture at Teardrop Lakes in Milton Keynes.

Reading’s Jess Gibbon (handicap -2.0) overcame Jenny Nesbitt (handicap -1.7) and Kate Avery (handicap -0.7) to win the senior women’s race overall, with a nine-second cushion over her nearest opponent as she crossed the finish line. It was her first ever victory at a British Athletics Cross Challenge event in her career.

Nesbitt led on the final lap but Gibbon, who was third in the opening fixture in Cardiff, overtook the Cardiff athlete in the closing stages to earn number one spot.

In the senior men’s race, Hugo Milner (handicap -6.3) came away with the win just three seconds ahead of Southampton’s  Zak Mahamed (handicap -5.1).

The Derby athlete won the opening fixture in Cardiff and showed his strength and agility over the terrain as he came away for another victory to continue his excellent cross country season so far.

Dan Jarvis (handicap -5.8) earned a podium spot in third ahead of City of York’s Sam Dickinson (handicap -1.5). Matthew Stonier (handicap -5.3) was the top u20 runner in sixth place.

Megan Keith (handicap -0.4), continued her great 2021 form to grab the win in the women’s junior women’s race. Following a strong display, she comfortably ran out the winner ahead of Charlotte Alexander (handicap 0.9) and Jess Bailey (handicap 0.4).

Scotland’s Hamish Armitt (handicap -4.0) was triumphant in the combined U17 / junior men’s race, taking the win narrowly ahead of Liam Rawlings (handicap -3.6) and Osian Perrin (handicap -4.7).

The British Athletics Cross Challenge series rolls on to Liverpool on the 27 November in an event which will also act as the trials event for the 2021 European Cross Country Championships.