So, after nearly five months of no racing, 22 young athletes descended on the fields at the back of Writtle College for this event with each race totalling no more than six runners to comply with COVID-19. Unusual for XC events to see temperatures in the low thirties with the runners exposed to the sweltering conditions all around the course which took you round the lake. Chelmsford Athletic Club must be hugely praised for putting on this event with approval from UKA.

Under 20

Our four athletes were included in the senior races in the afternoon, when the heat was at its worst. 90 men took part across 18 races and 23 ladies within six races before the men.

Both Dan Rowden and Phil Norman have showed great middle distance form this week whilst competing in Europe. There was also news of a personal best from Shot man Craig Charlton and of Jordon Donnelly's not insignificant achievement of running his one hundredth sub – 2minute race over 800m.

Phil Norman in Turku