The Liverpool Cross Challenge sees big wins for Kate Axford and Tomer Tarragano with Innes Fitzgerald and Henry Dover taking junior wins.
The Liverpool Cross Challenge lived up to expectations on Saturday (November 23) when it unfolded on the muddy terrain of Sefton Park, a familiar challenge thanks to the typical British weather.
The event, which doubled as the European Cross Country Championships trials, saw thousands of athletes vying for a place in the British team heading to Antalya, Turkey on December 8.
The rain, which conveniently coincided with each race, made the course more difficult, but the conditions did not dampen the competitive spirit, and spectators were treated to exciting bouts, with several athletes celebrating milestones, including earning their first GB vests.
Among the standout performances was Kate Axford from Belgrave Harriers in the form of her life. Oxford was one of the pre-race favorites in Liverpool after becoming the top Briton at the Cardiff Cross Challenge earlier this month, and he delivered.
Running with the lead pack for most of the race, he took the lead in the final stretch to take the win and secure his place on Team GB for the Euro Cross.
Kate Axford and Abbie Donnelly (Gary Mitchell)
Axford, a former hockey international who has only been competing since 2023, said:
“I was feeling amazing, trying to get stronger and stay strong. Cardiff was when I knew I could win here. I went into it confident, but at the same time I respect everyone around me and it’s going to be an incredible team In Eurocross and hopefully the team gold will happen.”
She will now lead a strong British team that includes Kari Hughes, Poppy Tank and Abby Donnelly. Hughes from Wales impressed with a decisive second place, reflecting her result as the second British woman in Cardiff. Her performance suggests she will be a serious contender in Antalya.
Tank, who focused on running during the summer season, reacquainted himself with his cross-country skills and earned a well-deserved bronze in Liverpool.He finished sixth in the steeplechase at the British Championships this year and will now look to improve on his 11th place finish at last year’s Eurocross.
Meanwhile, Abby Donnelly, last year’s European Cross bronze medallist, finished fourth, two places below her result in 2023. The Brit will be hoping to climb the podium again in Antalya as she looks to build on her previous success.
In the men’s race, all eyes were on last year’s reigning champion and fourth-place finisher in Eurocross 2023. However, Tomer Tarragano of Brighton and Hove AC crossed the line first to claim victory.
Senior Men’s Race (Gary Mitchell)
Tarragano, who represented Great Britain at under-23 level at Eurocross in both 2022 and 2023, finished 37th and 27th respectively, but this time the 23-year-old put in an impressive performance gave his progress.
Having not competed since July, his victory was a significant achievement. He told AW:“I’ve been looking at this senior race as the pinnacle of the cross-country season, so it’s really cool to race with the guys there.”
Milner, who was aiming to defend his title by finishing behind Tarragano but secured his place in the British team for Antalya, is determined to improve on his fourth place finish at last year’s Euro Cross.
The men’s race in Turkey is expected to be a hot one, with Jakob Ingebrigtsen in particular, but Milner remains confident: “I’ve seen Jake Wightman, Josh Carey beat him, why not me?” .
The senior men’s team was joined by Scott Beattie and Ellis Cross, who finished third and fourth respectively, with both athletes improving on last year’s challenge, with Beattie finishing 20th and Cross 27th.
Rory Leonard finished fifth, with Callum Johnson and Alfie Manthorpe sixth and seventh respectively.
Senior Men’s Race (Gary Mitchell)
The race took a unique twist as the under-23s raced alongside the senior runners, but with a shorter course and an earlier finish. was going on.
It was a perfect return to form for David Stone.The Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers player, who has struggled with injuries for the past two years, made an impressive comeback to beat last year’s under-23 Eurocross champion Will Barnicoat.
It was his first competition of the year since he missed last year’s trials due to an injury that required two operations. His last full season was in 2019 and his win at Liverpool shows his patience and determination paid off.
Barnicoat, who had to settle for silver, still put in a strong performance and will be a major contender in Turkey.
Stone and Barnicoat are joined in the team by Peter Molloy and Brett Rushman, who finished third and fourth respectively.Scotland’s Molloy was visibly emotional as he crossed the line, hugged by cheering family and friends; “You did it!”
In the women’s under-23 race, Meg Gadsby City of Norwich AC took a dominant victory, finishing ahead of Kate Willis, Mia Waldman and Poppy Craig-McFeely, who all secured their places for Turkey as the top four were guaranteed selection.
Meanwhile, in the junior races, Innes Fitzgerald produced the standout performance of the day, taking another victory in the combined Under 17 and Under 20 women’s races.
Innes Fitzgerald (Gary Mitchell)
The 18-year-old ran almost the entire race alone, sending a strong message before defending her European cross title in Turkey.Fitzgerald, the defending champion, will be hoping to repeat her success and win another gold medal.
“It’s a lot of pressure to go to the Euro Cross, but I’m really excited,” he said. :
“Today’s win gave me a lot of confidence, it showed that I really have the legs and now I just have to go out there and make it happen.”
Fitzgerald finished 31 seconds ahead of Jess Bailey, who put in a strong performance in second place, with Lizzie Welstead in third, with Zoe Guilbodie, Isobel Jones and Eleanor Strevens rounding out the top six.
In the men’s junior race, last year’s champion of “Liverpool” Henry Dover successfully defended his title with another strong victory. Dover, who finished sixth at last year’s Euro Cross, was already celebrating 30 seconds before the finish line, cheering on from the crowd as he crossed in first place.
Henry Dover’s impressive display sees him win the Liverpool Cross Challenge in the junior men’s race by three seconds.
Dover saw the challenge of Will Rabjohns, Ollie Conway and others in a high quality affair
pic.twitter.com/DQKzuyDGo3
— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) November 23, 2024
He was just three seconds behind William Rabjones, who won in Cardiff earlier this month. Oliver Conway finished third, with Miles Waterworth, Quinn Miele-Ingram, Noah Campion, Mark Ruby and Abdirahim Hamoud rounding out the top eight the top five are guaranteed selection to Euro Cross for
The leading under-17 athletes were Hammoud and Elarose Whitworth.
Cara Gorman of Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow AC took victory in the under 15 girls race ahead of Katie Scott and Summer Smith.
Perhaps the most exciting finish of the day came in the under 15 boys race when Ethan Winnall of Burton AC was almost caught at the line by Jarried Allem of Leeds City AC, both clocking the same time.
Maddison Kindler of Brentwood Beagles AC was 13 seconds clear of Ellie Blackhurst and Jessica Take in the under 13 girls race.
Sam Deary of Giffnock North AC also took victory as he finished just ahead of Rocco Hawley and Thomas Hastings in the under 13 boys race.
The under-11 races, meanwhile, were won by Alba Jones and Rowan Carson.
Josh Leigh (Gary Mitchell)
In addition to the long races, there were also short relay events, which were won by Maddie Didman and Josh Lay.
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