England team confirmed for classic Ultra distance event 2017

The 23nd Anglo Celtic Plate 100k will be promoted in Patrington near Hull, England on the 21st May 2017 at the Meridian Ultra Road Races. The event will not only incorporate the ACP 100k but also the England Ultra distance Championships at 50k.

The two races will challenge some of the best ultra athletes in the United Kingdom over the classic distance of 100 kilometres - which equates to 62.2 miles - and the shorter 50k. The ACP has always been regarded as a developmental opportunity for aspiring ultra runners and 2017 will be no different.

England will be sending a strong team which will compete against teams from Scotland and Wales and at present consists of:

Men:
Anthony Clark (Club: Bournemouth AC)
Paul Fernandez (Club : Abingdon)
Lee Grantham (Club: East Cheshire)
Darryl Hards (Club: Brighton Phoenix)
Nathan Montague (Club: Swindon AC)

Women:
Samantha Amend (Club: Belgrave, Lead Coach: Rodger Hughes)
Sophie Carter (Club: Belgrave / Veterans / Woodstock)
Susie Chesher (Club: Anglia Ruskin)
Melissa Venables (Club: Spa Striders, Lead Coach: Les Barnett)
Sue Harrison (Club:Leamington, Coach: Les Barnett)

Team leader Walter Hill said, "This is a great event for the ultra community and offers a fantastic opportunity to compete over this classic distance."

Spencer Duval (National Coach Mentor Lead for Endurance) added, "This event is at the extreme end of most endurance coaches' knowledge and comfort zone but it offers the opportunity to learn and expand their coaching knowledge. This is something we encourage coaches to attend and to be involved in on the National Coach Development Programme."

England will be sending at least one coach from the NCDP to help the team and learn about the particular challenges that the 100k event raises.