The historic event returns this weekend after February’s postponement due to flooding
As the track season begins to comes to a close, the cross-country season is already upon us, with the postponed Saucony English National Cross Country Championships taking place this weekend on September 14.
Initially planned for February 24 at Weston Park in Shropshire, the 2024 championships were called off due to heavy rain that left the course completely flooded.
English National Events
This marked only the third time in the event’s 148-year history that it had been called off, with the previous cancellations occurring during the world wars and the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021.
English National Cross 2017 (Mark Shearman)
The decision to postpone came just a day before the races were set to begin, with organisers from the English National Cross Country Association stating that “conditions were impossible for parking.”
The event remains at Weston Park, although the weather promises a slightly different cross-country experience to what many are used to. Instead of the typical wet and muddy ground, dry conditions and temperatures around 18°C are expected.
English National Cross 1985 (Mark Shearman)
English National Athletes
For athletes and clubs across the UK, this weekend is a major event on the calendar and is a long-standing tradition of cross-country running.
Back in the 1970s for example, the English National used to be the trial for the International or World Cross Country Championships.
Dave Bedford in 1971 (Mark Shearman)
Last year’s event, held at Bolesworth Castle near Chester, saw standout performances in the senior category from James Kingston (Tonbridge) and Sarah Astin (Belgrave), while Will Barnicoat (Aldershot, Farnham & District) and Beatrice Wood (City of Salisbury) triumphed in the under-20 races.The under-17 titles went to Innes FitzGerald (Exeter Harriers) and Henry Dover (Shaftesbury Barnet), who both represented Great Britain at the World Cross Country Championships in March this year.
Innes FitzGerald (Gary Mitchell)
Timetable
12:00pm Under 17 Women – 5km
12:25pm Under 15 Boys – 4km
12:45pm Under 13 Girls – 3km
1:05pm Under 17 Men – 6km
1:30pm Under 13 Boys – 3km
1:45pm Under 15 Girls – 4km
2:05pm Junior Women – 6km
2:35pm Senior Women – 8km
3:20pm Junior Men – 10km
4:00pm Senior Men – 12km
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