The welcome was as warm as the weather at the 2019 Saucony National Cross Country Championships, hosted by the English Cross Country Association at Harewood House, Leeds.

This was the first time the National was held in the grounds of Harewood, with the magnificent landscape created by Lancelot “Capability” Brown.  The races were over a challenging course with a tough uphill start, undulating terrain and a flat fast finish.  With entries from over 9000 runners from all over the country representing over 300 different clubs this was an experience not to be missed for Buxton AC juniors and a challenge that they were more than up to.

First race of day was the 53rd under 17 women’s Championships over 5km.  Buxton juniors were represented by Heather Wilshaw who put in a solid run to finish 180th out of an entry of 320.  Next up for Buxton was Sienna Phillips who ran in the highly competitive 50th Under 13 girls Championships coming 223rd out of 418 runners.  In the 74th Under 17 Mens Championship, Sam Soles led the Buxton lads home in an impressive 85th position followed by team mates Stu and Ed Diamond in 151st and 196th out of 272 finishers.  Last up for the juniors were the under 15 girls in this the 54th Under 15 Girls Championship.  Lucy Bednall put in a strong performance to finish 91st with teammate Amy Whelan coming 200th in a quality field of 362.

Buxton AC Coach Terry Fowler said, “All of the coaches at Buxton junior’s are extremely proud of the athletes that travelled to Leeds for the Nationals.  To compete against the best in the country takes grit and determination that they all show.  To put in such strong performances in a class field shows how much effort they put into their training, so to see them get such great results is tremendous.  They are a credit to themselves, the club and all of the coaching team are proud of them.”