Team England produced a dominating display during Saturday’s Home Countries cross-country International in Edinburgh, as both squads took commanding team victories in addition to individual success, writes Nicola Bamford.
In an event which acted as the curtain-raiser to the 36th IAAF World Cross Country Championships the following day, the Home Countries International provided an exhilarating competition warm-up for a thrilling weekend’s action in the Scottish capital’s picturesque Holyrood Park.
The ‘English rose army’ fought a brave battle against teams from Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales in the first of such events for 18 years, and defied the bitter cold and windswept conditions and challenging course to establish themselves as the leading UK nation with ease.
Kendal AC’s National runner-up, Gemma Miles took the women’s 6km race by a superb 17-second-winning margin, in a time of 20:30 ahead of team-mate Victoria Wilkinson, of Bingley Harriers and Scotland’s Freya Murray taking third in 20:53.
The two English competitors battled for the lead throughout the majority of the race and the top three remained at the fore of the field from the outset; accompanied by 21 year-old Durham University student, Felicity Milton.
However, it was Miles’ strength that ultimately showed, as she made her move at the bell to register a 100m-lead. Milton meanwhile; the UK Championships 6th-placer, wound up an isolated fourth and will now take her fine form into the World University cross-country Championships in France on April 6th.
The winner described her feelings afterwards; “I’ve not been feeling 100% in the build up to this so I’m really pleased with how I ran today. I did hope to make the GB & NI team for the World Cross so I was a bit disappointed not to be competing tomorrow.”
When asked how she felt as she pulled away at the bell, she said: “It was good having the screen because each time you came into the finish straight you could see what was going on it’s a great idea to have the Home Countries International and make it a two day event. My next race now will be the Dublin 10K race next weekend, and then I will start to prepare for the summer."
The 27 year-old Northern cross-country Champion made amends for narrowly missing team GB selection for the World cross, whereas Wilkinson also made great strides since her 11th-place performance in the National.
The top junior was Rotherham Harrier and National under20 6th-placer, Rosie Edwards, who finished 7th overall, in an event which acted as the 19 year-old’s international debut.
The England ladies took the team honours with 14 points, compared to runners-up, Scotland with 27. Wales finished third with 58 points; edging Northern Ireland into fourth on count-back.
22 year-old Northern cross-country bronze-medallist, Tom Lancashire took a surprise victory in the men’s 8km competition (24:39), over Scotland’s Tom Russell. The Bolton United Harrier’s three-second-winning margin was joined by a solid third-place-position from England team-mate, Dave Webb (25:14).
Building on from his third-place in January’s Great Edinburgh International 4km, Lancashire made a powerful surge up the steep Haggis Knowle hill to break home-hope, Russell.
Meanwhile the battle for third was just as exhilarating, as England’s Steve Vernon; the National bronze-medallist, was narrowly overtaken by Webb in an inspired sprint finish.
Elaborating on his success, Lancashire explained; “I’m really happy to win. I felt comfortable on the first two laps, but couldn’t shake off Tom, so eased off a bit and waited until the final hill. My basic speed is pretty good, so I held on for the finish."
When asked about the importance of a Home International, he continued, “I think this event is a really good, especially involving the juniors, one of them has to score. It’s a good opportunity for them. My winter has gone well, my best winter ever. Hope to carry it over to the summer. I’m back training in Bolton now; I’ve taken a semester off University.”
Scotland’s Tom Russell revealed, “I felt really good, but Tom was just stronger on the hill. I wasn’t really expecting to win but just wanted to get out there and do the best I could. The home support was brilliant, my Dad and my brother were out on the course, it really, really helps”
England finished on top of the podium with a points score of 14, ahead of Scotland with 34 points. Wales were third with 37 points ahead of Northern Ireland who scored 68.
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