UK Cross Challenge and Euro trials, Sefton Park, Liverpool

Just three young athletes made the long trip to Liverpool for this annual prestigious event. The weather was milder than of late and the course muddy in places after overnight rain.

Raphael Thomas started out in the U11 boys race with 300 in the field. The course over 2k was relatively flat but had some twists and turns. Raphael, who had won a couple of Chingford League races recently, got out well and was in 3rd place in the early stages of the race. As Buxton (who won by 30 seconds) and Minns got away. Raphael was left fighting it out to be in the top10. He dropped out of the top ten but a strong finish brought him back in a fine 8th place in 7mins 15secs, 28 seconds faster than last year. Raphael is in the Stevenage FC academy which leaves him to be able to train just once a week with his coach at Reedings School in Sawbridgeworth. This school gives Raphael great support with both sports.

Harry Stockill and Daniel Arnold both started out in the Under 17/20 men’s race. This would be a great experience for both lads as, to be fair, they were giving four years to their older counterparts. With 200 in the U17 men’s race over 4.4 k, including all the top runners from all four nations of the UK, Harry had a great race to place 23rd, just 50 seconds down on Barclay Watt from Exeter, who is a 14.35 5k runner. Daniel, who is coming out of a massive growth spurt (he is now 6ft 2 inches tall), did really well for 99th, We know that, once this spurt settles down, he will be back on top form. To me, as coach, hearing that all three lads really enjoyed the experience was the most important thing. Daniel and Harry then stayed on to watch Joel Doye unleash a phenomenal run to earn his first GB vest in the U23 race. Worth noting that Joel did his first XC Challenge at this venue in 2019, when he placed 51st in the race that Harry and Daniel did.

Harry (left) and Daniel pictured below: