England team selected for Roeselare CrossCup
We are delighted to announce the first England Cross Country Association team of the season. The team will compete in the Lotto CrossCup in Roeselare, Belgium on 25 October 2026. This fixture now traditionally marks the start of the England international cross country programme.
Eamonn Martin, Team Manager for the Senior Men's team said:
"With winter fast approaching, England will open the cross country season with a trip to Belgium for the Lotto CrossCup – Roeselare on 25 October. For many years England teams have travelled abroad at the start of the season, using early international competition to sharpen athletes ahead of the trials in Liverpool’s Sefton Park in November.
"England has a long and successful history across the Belgian Lotto CrossCup circuit, having competed at most of the series venues over the years. Roeselare, however, is now our go-to season opener, and this will be the third time an England team has lined up at the event. Despite the unfamiliar surroundings, we anticipate a strong showing as our athletes take on what is expected to be a predominantly domestic field."
Let's meet the team
Senior Men
James Kingston (Tonbridge AC, Mark Hookway), a previous National Cross Country Champion was 2nd at Sedgefield in February holding Hugo Milner for a large part of the race. He was Southern Cross Country Champion again, 3rd in the Home Countries International and then he finished the season winning the Inter Counties. He ran a 10k road PB in the summer of 28m46s in Manchester and has represented GB in the European Cross Country on several occasions and ran the World Cross Country in 2024 in Belgrade. Also, the last 2 years he has run this race in Roeselare and finished 3rd then 2nd, so can he continue the trajectory and top the podium this year?
Jacob Cann (Western Tempo) represented GB at both the European Cross Country Championships and the World Cross last winter and has shown great improvement and development over the last few years. He was 2nd behind Kingston in the Inter Counties Cross Country last March and also clocked PBs in the summer for 1500m (3m36.95) and 5000m (13m29.18). He has finished in the big positions in Roeselare previously, so he knows the course and will be expecting another great challenge with Kingston.
Ted Higgins (Tonbridge AC, Mark Hookway) was 5th in the National Cross Country at Sedgefield last February behind team mate Kingston who was 2nd, but has followed that up this summer with some great running on the track including PBs in the 800m (1m46.28), 1500m (3m34.89), 1 mile (3m54.61) and 3000m indoor (7m53.21). He brings a very good pedigree to the cross country with great track speed over a good range of 800m to 3000m, whilst being ranked 11th in the UK over 1500m. Great testament to his coach Mark Hookway.
Callum Charleston (Aldershot Farnham & District, Mick Woods) has been improving his performances over the last few seasons, specifically at cross country and puts himself in the line of fire in the big races. He was 10th in the National Cross Country at Sedgefield in February, having finished 2nd in the Southern Cross Country a few weeks before. He was also 10th at Parliament Hill in the Home Countries International and finished his winter with 6th in the Inter Counties to round off by far his best winter to date.
Senior Women
Eleanor Curran (Leeds City) had an impressive cross country season last year finishing 17th in Liverpool at the European Cross Country Trial gaining her selection to run for England in Hannut, Belgium where she finished 11th. Eleanor then went on to win the Cross Challenge and Home Countries at Parliament Hill, again representing England. Eleanor finished off a positive cross country season by finishing 6th in the National Cross Country and 2nd in the Inter Counties at Wollaton Park.
Jessica Gibbon (Reading AC) finished 7th in Liverpool at the European Cross Country Trial and just narrowly missed out on selection for the European Cross Country Championships last season. Jess was the 2025 ECCA National English Cross Country Champion and finished 4th in 2026. Jess also competed for England in Hannut, Belgium, where she ran a positive race finishing 6th. Jess finished off her season as Champion of the CAU Inter Counties at Wollaton Park.
Faye O'Hare (Liverpool AC, Anthony Clarke) had great cross country season last year running for England in Hannut, Belgium, where she finished a credible 13th, her selection was from her positive 8th U23 place in the European Trial at Liverpool. Faye rounded off her season finishing 7th in the Inter Counties at Wollaton Park and 15th in the English National at Sedgefield. Faye ran a PB for 5k this summer and recently finished 1st at the ERRA Road Relays on the first leg.
Kate O'Neill (Havering AC, Patrick Gahagan) finished 18th place in Liverpool last season gaining her selection to run for England in Elgoibar, Spain, where she had a great race finishing in 8th place. Kate was Southern Champion last season and finished 4th place in the Inter Counties at Wollaton Park following a positive 7th place finish at the National Cross Country at Sedgefield. Kate has had a great summer gaining PB’s in 5000m on the track and 5k on the road.
U20 Men
Jack Marwood (Salford Harriers & AC, Ian Grime) is rapidly establishing himself as one of England’s most exciting young cross country prospects. His outstanding 2nd place finish in Hannut, Belgium showcased his ability to mix it with Europe’s best, and his imperious victory over the rolling hills of Parliament Hill at the Home Counties International underlined his growing dominance on home soil. With each performance, Jack demonstrates greater maturity, resilience, and race intelligence. He looks ready to take the next step in his development and stake a serious claim for selection to the GB team.
Ewan Busfield (Derby AC, Jethro McGraw) experienced a mixed cross country season last year, during which it became increasingly clear that he is better suited to firmer, faster terrain. Although he produced a commendable 6th place at the Home Countries International in very muddy conditions, his standout performance came in Elgoibar, Spain, where the firmer ground allowed him to run with real freedom and confidence, earning an excellent 2nd place. This contrast between races highlights both his resilience in challenging conditions and his genuine potential when competing on surfaces that play to his strengths.
Cosmo Benyan (Cambridge and Coleridge, Ric Park) could consider himself a little unlucky not to have made the England team last year. However, it was only towards the end of the season that he began to reveal the full extent of his ability, producing an excellent series of results that have transformed his profile as a developing athlete. His CV now includes a superb 3rd place at the Home Countries International, a strong 4th place at the Inter Counties, and yet another bronze medal at the National Cross Country — a trio of performances that underline his clear cross country prowess and growing consistency at the highest level. Cosmo’s late season surge has not only showcased his potential but also positioned him as a genuine contender for future international selection.
Jack Sanderson (Settle Harriers, Andrew Henderson) is another athlete who operated largely under the radar until the closing stages of the season, when a superb run of results transformed his profile as a developing talent. His CV now includes an outstanding silver medal at the Home Countries International, 2nd place at the Inter Counties, and yet another silver at the English Schools — a sequence that firmly establishes him among the most consistent young performers in the country. It may seem unusual to suggest that the National Cross Country Championships was one race too many, especially when 5th place is hardly below par. But viewed in the context of his late season surge, it simply reflects the enormous standard he has set for himself. Jack is clearly moving along the trajectory we need for GB selection: resilient, reliable, and capable of producing high quality performances when it matters most.
U20 Women
Maisey Bellwood (Keighley & Craven AC, Josh Norman) is having an excellent 2026 season. At the start of this year Maisey finished runner up at the National Cross Country Championships and represented GB&NI at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee. Other notable performances include a 2nd placing in Hannut, Belgium representing England and a 3rd placing at the Inter Counties Cross Championships. Maisey went on to have an excellent track season narrowly missing out on selection for the U20 World Track and Field Championships. Maisey has run PBs for 800m, 1500m and 3000m and won the 1500m at the U20 England Athletics Championships.
Imogen Edwards (Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC, Rod Finch) gains her first England cross country vest following her 4th placed positions at the Inter Counties and English Schools Cross Country Championships in March this year. In May, Imogen represented England at the European U20 Road Race in Oderzo, Italy. In the summer, Imogen has shown excellent form on the track running PBs for 800m, 1500m and 3000m, and finished runner up in the 1500m at the U20 England Athletics Championships and 4th in the 1500m in the English Schools Track and Field Championships.
Eleanor Foster (North Devon AC, Mark Brace) is another athlete who is having an excellent 2026 season and gains her first England cross country vest. Earlier this year, Eleanor finished 3rd in the Inter Counties and English Schools Cross Country Championships. On the road, Eleanor represented England at the European U20 Road Race in Oderzo, Italy and at the Home Nations 5k in Cardiff. Eleanor has also shown excellent form on the track at 1500m and 3000m and won the English Schools Track and Field Championship at 3000m and finished runner up in the 3000m at the U20 England Athletics Championships.
Isabella Tutt (Wakefield District Harriers & AC, Steve Mann) gains her first England cross country vest following her 3rd placing in the U17 National Cross Country Championships at Sedgefield. On the road, Eleanor represented England at the Home Nations 5k in Cardiff. Isabella has also shown excellent form on the track running PBs at 1500m and 3000m and finished 3rd in the 3000m at the U20 England Athletics Championships.
Team Managers
- Senior Men: Eamonn Martin
- Senior Women: Sue Lamb
- Junior Men: Keith Holt
- Junior Women: Jo Newcombe