UK Cross Challenge and Euro Trials, Sefton Park, Liverpool
Five of our athletes made the 250 mile trip for this very prestigious event. The course, although reasonably flat, was very muddy in places. The weather was kind with the sun joining in with the races.
The youth races had around 160/180 in each race. The standard was exceptional, with top athletes coming down from Scotland, accross from Wales and from all parts of England, from Exeter up to Newcastle.
The Under 17 girls race over 4400 metres saw Abigail Reid toeing the line. Abigail has been working hard with coach Richard Thurston in recent weeks. Shakira King was always around the front and having been pulled back after a fast start, Shakira just edged home for yet another win in this event as she had won the U15 race 12 months ago. Abigail was always prominent and held on well on the second larger circuit to place 9th. Such was the field, she was just 18 seconds behind Eliza Nicholson who was 6th and had won in Cardiff earlier this month. Another scalp for Abigail is that she finished in front of the three medalists from the AAAs U17 final 1500 metres. It was a fine run.
Another loaded field was the U15 boys race over 3000 metres. Many top Scots had come down for this event. We had three starters: Harry Stockill, Luka Norden and young Daniel Arnold, a bottom year U15. Evan Grime took the pace out at a ferocious rate but at halfway, after trying to break the field, he was pulled back - which resulted in a large group on the charge. Evan just held on for an excellent win in a time of 9 mins 28 sec - some running on a mud-bound course! Harry, although 16th, was only just over 20 seconds down on Grime, clocking 9 mins 53 secs which is probably worth under 9 minutes for 3k on a tartan track. Luka continues to make progress since returning from injury with 46th in 10 mins 30 secs, with young Daniel running really well for 50th in 10 mins 37 secs. Daniel was only just over a minute behind Grime who will probably run around 8 mins 20 for 3000 metres next summer.

Daniel's older brother Joseph travelled up with his family and ran the U17 men’s race over 5800 metres. Joseph got round well, stuck to his task and finished in 114th spot. Well done, Joseph!
The five athletes enjoyed the occasion and were seen having photos taken alongside the presenter of the awards - none other than former Olympic 100m champion Carl Lewis of the USA, who was there with his University of Houston squad. It should also be noted Harry was the second southerner to finish and Abigail third Southerner.

We must really thank the parents for transporting the athletes to Liverpool and Richard Thurston for travelling up in support of them.