The 2020 English National Cross Country Championships were held this weekend at Wollaton Park, Nottingham. The “Nationals” are the oldest Cross Country Championships in the world and Wollaton Park provides the ideal terrain for a challenging event against the spectacular backdrop of Wollaton Hall.
The recent flood conditions created some of the toughest conditions experienced at this event with deep
mud and boggy ditches, throw in a few tree trunk hurdles and the scene was set for another spectacular championships!
Buxton Juniors had an outstanding team of 10 youngsters racing in this most prestigious event which attracted over 8000 athletes from every corner of the country – the best of the best in cross country competitors!
First race of the day was the under 17 girls where Buxton’s Lucy Bednall had an amazing run to finish 40th out of 254 runners. She was followed by team mates Amy Whelan and Heather Wilshaw who both had great runs finishing in 115th and 202nd respectively.
The under 17 boys were led home by Sam Soles who stormed round in 68th in a strong field of 286. Ed Diamond had an epic fall in the knee high bog section from which he recovered valiantly to come in 108th, ahead of brother Stu in 121st.
There were nearly 400 finishers in the under 13 boys race but the Buxton team of Jack Cook and Matt Rolfe beat the bogs to come in 155th and 378th. Sienna Philips had a difficult start in the under 15 girls race, suffering from a spike to the foot, but she battled on to come in 309th out of 390 finishers.
Buxton AC runner Lauren McNeil continued her outstanding form in the Junior Women’s race. She stuck with the leading ladies throughout – leading at the start, finishing in an incredible 6th overall – a phenomenal achievement in such a competitive field.
Lauren has been having an amazing season in the 5km Parkruns were her personal best is now an outstanding 17:20 and she ranks an amazing 2nd U20 female in the country!
Also having fantastic results at this event is Jonty Brown who achieved a personal best time of 20:14 at Congleton Parkrun – an impressive achievement for an under 10!
