U20s UK Cross Challenge
U20’s compete with best in UK
Liverpool 27th November, 2010
The Rugby & Northampton AC U20 runners struggle to find races for their own age group and are generally forced to run in Senior races after moving up from the ranks of the U17 squad. The UK cross challenge series gives up and coming athletes the opportunity to match themselves against established cross country stars in a very competitive field.
Rory Grant, Emma McGowan and Emily Waugh who are all at the bottom of the U20 age group travelled to Liverpool to compete in the first race on a day half the UK was covered in snow and the rest experiencing sub zero temperatures. The fast flat course at Liverpool although snow free was solid in places making it a physically demanding race for the athletes.
The girls were off first with several international athletes competing for places in the GB team heading for European championships. Emily got herself off to a flying start and quickly established herself in the top quarter of the field with Emma who is coming back to fitness after a painful back injury settling into her running in the pack. The pace continued to build around the 4.4km course and both girls worked hard and gained places throughout the race to finish 28th & 70th respectively showing early promise for the championship races to come in the new year.
Rory was the sole male representative from R&N AC in the junior men’s race which was one of the strongest and most competitive fields of the day with the race setting off at a breathtaking pace. He got into his running well, but it was the second half of the 6.7km course that showed his endurance strength and enabled him to gain over 30 places to finish in 69th position.
Power of 10 Results
