The triathlete returns after more than half a year out with a stress fracture, while Eleanor Curran secured the biggest win of her career so far.
Hugo Milner’s long-awaited return from injury couldn’t have gone better after he dominated the senior men’s race at the London Cross Challenge (February 7).
The Briton, who is primarily a triathlete but also has a pedigree on track, road and cross-country, led from the front up Parliament Hill and in the muddy conditions, never looked back.
He clocked 32:16 over 10km to win by an impressive 23 seconds over Richard Slade, with James Kingston third in 32:45.
It was Milner’s first race since finishing 33rd at the 2025 World Triathlon Championships in Hamburg on 12 July 2025 before suffering a stress fracture that ruled him out for the rest of the year.
Milner had intended to mark his return at the European Cross-Cross Championships, the World Championships or the Valencia 10km, but the date was pushed back, making the London Cross Challenge the optimal event on the calendar.
“It was unbelievable,” he told AW afterward. “I was leading from the start and it was really nice to be back in a racing environment. This was my first race in seven months as I had a stress fracture that set me back for a long time.
“It’s so nice to be back healthy and fit. It’s been two years since I competed on Parliament Hill and now I have to get back to the routine. I’ve never really had a bone injury before so I wasn’t really sure what to expect.
“I went through all the emotions of, ‘Will I get back to the same level?’ and “does anything change?” At times it looked like it might. However, I never lost motivation and I want to channel all that anger and frustration into these performances.”
Milner’s next event is the Armagh International 5km on February 12, followed by the English National Cross Country Championships in Sedgefield on February 21.
Eleanor Curran claimed one of her biggest victories in the senior women’s race at Parliament Hill by 11 seconds.
In a strong field that included Scout Adkin and Amelia Quirk, Curran came out on top and clocked 29:50 over 8km. Adkin was second in 30:01 with Niamh Brown in 30:08.
“It was very unexpected,” he told AW. “When I saw the lineups, I thought top five was the best result for me today. I’m just in shock and really proud of myself. I’m not great on muddy courses and I just had to keep going.”
Curran, who has a full-time job, is part of Leeds City AC and has recovered from a strained calf in December. He is now aiming to run well in the English National Cross Country Championships.
The two Under 20 wins went to Jack Marwood and Emma Stewart who recorded respective marks of 26:43 (8km) and 23:58 (6km). Darragh Whelan was the fastest under-17 male athlete and Freya Renton, aged just 15, was the fastest under-17 female athlete.
Renton, incredibly, was also faster than any of the women under 20. Blowing away both fields, he was nearly a minute ahead of his Under-17 rivals and had 25 seconds to spare on the Under-20s.
The Irish teenager spoke to AW afterwards and said she was inspired by both Faith Kipyegon and Ciara Magiene. The Westport-based athlete said she “started running as soon as she could walk” and, reflecting on the race, added that she “started walking away from the second lap and never looked back.”
Elliott Langley-Aybar and Summer Smith won the under-15s. Maddison Kindler and Joshua Maiden starred at Under-13 level, while Blossom Smith and Cartier Jenkin were commended in the Under-11 category.
Full results here.
