The UK’s best young runners head to the Liverpool this weekend for one of the biggest games on the inter-school calendar.
After celebrating its centenary in 2025, English Schools Cross-Country Championship returns for its 101st edition this weekend (March 14), with Sefton Park in Liverpool hosting one of the most prestigious matches on the junior drag calendar.
The championships traditionally attract many of the country’s most promising young athletes, each representing the county that aligns with their school, and this year’s races promise another day of top-class competition and a close finish.
Defending champion Alex Lennon returns to the senior boys (6km) race, aiming to retain the title he won last year.
After that victory, Lennon continued his impressive progress. The teenager represented Great Britain and Northern Ireland in World Championships in Athletics in Tallahassee and also clocked 14:22 for 5km Podium 5km road race.
He arrives in Liverpool in strong form having won the Under-20s British Cross Country Championships last weekend in Nottingham.
However, Lennon is unlikely to have it all his own way. Rory Barclay-Watt he has enjoyed a great season and arrives on a high after winning the Inter-Counties under-17 race.
Barclay-Watt was also champion England national cross country championship in Sedgefield in February and will be aiming for another important win.
He was closely followed in both races Joseph Skaneswho finished third at Nationals and second at Inter-Counties marking him as another podium contender.
Lennon’s GB & NI teammate is also worth a look Michael Clarke. Clark finished an impressive 18th at the World Cross Country Championships despite losing the top half of the race. He has had previous success at Sefton Park, winning the Liverpool Cross Challenge last November to secure his place in the GB & NI squad. European khachkar championship.
With last year’s champion Zoe Gilbody Now out of age category, the senior girls race (4.4km) is wide open.
Ava James leads the event after winning the Under-20 race at the Inter-Counties and will be hoping to continue that form in Liverpool. Among its closest competitors Katie Pyewho pushed him big time in that race and is looking to turn the table this weekend.
Maisie Bellwood is another strong contender. At the Sedgefield Nationals, he finished second, narrowly ahead of James, although James switched the order in the inter-county events.
European under-20 running finalist McGowan Island is also going to compete. McGowan has a strong cross-country background, although he has been absent from some recent national events.
The boys’ intermediate race (5km) will crown a new champion with last year’s winner Evan Grime not coming back.
Leo Blytonlast year’s junior boys champion, moves up an age group and will look to make an immediate impact. Among those aiming to challenge him Theo Creedwho secured the Under-15 title at last week’s inter-county championship.
Ewan Winall will also appear in the field. The Burton AC athlete recently appeared in our “club of the month” documentaryIn partnership with England Athletics as he looks to test himself against the best in the country.
The intermediate girls race (3.8km) looks equally competitive. Armenian under-17 champion Sonny Allen will be hoping to add another title after his win at Sedgefield, where he left off Kitty Scott in the closing stages. National silver medalist Scott will also feature in Liverpool as he hopes to defend the title he won last year.
Beth Lewis adds extra strength to the field after winning the Inter-Counties under-17 title, again ahead of Scott.
Athletes such as Cara Gorman, March of Georgia and: Poppy Guest: also brings strong credentials and can stand out.
In the junior boys’ race (3.2 km), Luis Da Silva will be the standout name in the under-13 category after a superb season. He has already claimed both the national and inter-city titles this year.
Similarly, the junior girls’ race (3.2km) will be the focus Madison Kindlerwho is dominating the under-13 girls division this year. Like Da Silva, he secured victories in both national and inter-city championships and regularly finished well ahead of his rivals.
Schedule:
12:30 – Intermediate girls
13:00 – junior boys
13:30 – junior girls
14:00 – Intermediate boys
14:35 – Senior girls
15:05 – Senior boys
The event will be broadcast live Vince:.
