England team selected for the Lotto Cross Cup in Belgium
We are pleased to announce a strong team of 16 athletes for the Lotto Cross Cup in Diest, Belgium.
Typically held in January or February, the Cross Cup competition was created as a men's only event in 1941 before introducing the women’s competition in 1977. Historically attracting top athletes from Europe and Africa, England have been representing at the Cup for the last two seasons. The teams have enjoyed a range of successes including victories across all age groups at the various Cross Cup venues.
Taking on the twisting, multi lap course are the following athletes:
Senior Men
Jack Millar (Bristol & West/Thames Hare and Hounds, David Bedwell) – A solid runner over cross country, Jack performed very well over the 10km course at the London International, finishing in 7th place with a fantastic 3rd place the following weekend in the Midlands cross country.
Sam Mills (Exeter) – fresh out of the junior ranks Sam has had a very successful career to date on the track and country. He has finished in 4th and 5th place at the European Cross Country Championships over the last two years.
Jack Gray (Cambridge & Coleridge, Mark Vile) – Returning to Diest, Jack finished in 7th place last year. A prolific racer across the country and roads, Jack had a fantastic winter last year finishing 2nd in the English National Cross Country, and more recently setting a new 10k PB in Valencia (28:36).
Alfie Manthorpe (Sheffield & Dearne, John Wood) – Alfie gained a GB vest at the European Cross Country Championships in December where he finished in 44th place. Having a great winter so far, Alfie recently placed 10th at the London International Cross Country.
Senior Women
Megan Gadsby (City of Norwich/St Mary’s University, Mick Woods) - Megan was recently 4th in the Southern Cross Country having finished 8th U23 at the Liverpool European Trial in November. This followed her 2nd place finish in the National U20 cross country in 2023.
Jessica Gibbon (Reading AC) – Jessica recently won the Southern Cross Country following a 12th place finish at the London International.
Philippa Stone (Middlesbrough/Durham University, Martin Peevor) - Philippa returns to Diest 12 months on from her 4th place finish last February. She recently finished in 4th place at the Northern Cross Country Championships.
Sophie Tarver (Wirral, Bill Foster) - Sophie was recently 3rd in the Northern Cross Country having finished 6th last season in both the National and Inter-Counties Cross Country Champs. Sophie has previously raced in Diest two years ago where she finished 8th.
U20 Men
Quinn Miell-Ingram (Radley, Wendy Miell-Ingram) - Quinn has made great strides this year and is building on his 8th place in the English National Cross Country Championships. He recently made his England debut in Elgoibar, Spain where he finished in 4th place.
William Rabjohns (Poole AC, Mark Pauley) – Finishing in 5th place in the 1500m at last year’s Commonwealth Youth Games, William had a super 2023. This year so far he has finished in 3rd at the South of England Cross Country Championships.
Jake Stevens (Invicta East Kent, Donald Carter) – Jake made his England debut at the Home International, finishing in an excellent 5th place, helping to secure 1st place for the team.
Mark Ruby (Poole AC, Mark Pauley) – Clubmate of Rabjohns, Mark had a good end to last cross country season finishing in 17th place at English Schools. He has made great strides this winter finishing 11th at the Cardiff Cross Challenge and 4th at the recent Home Countries International.
U20 Women
India Barwell (Lincoln Wellington, Rob Lewis) - India will be making her England cross country debut. She is having a great cross country season where she finished 8th overall position (6th U20) at Liverpool and more recently finishing 4th at the London Cross Challenge.
Amelie Lane (Wharfedale Harriers, Sally Malir) – Also making her England debut, this month Amelie finished 7th at the London Cross Challenge and most recently became the Northern U20 Cross Country Champion.
Beth Rogers (Ilkley, Sally Malir) - Beth is another U20 who is making her England cross country debut following her 13th overall position (9th U20) at Liverpool. A week later she was runner up at the English Schools’ cross country cup final. Beth also ran for England as an U17 in the British and Irish mountain running championships in September 2022.
Lizzie Wellsted (Colchester Harriers) - Lizzie has made significant progress as an U20 athlete this year and has been in fine form on the cross country this season. Lizzie represented GB at the European Cross Country Championships in Brussels finishing a credible 13th, and 3rd scorer for the U20 women’s gold medal winning team.
Support staff
- Senior Men – Eamonn Martin
- Senior Women – Sue Lamb
- Junior Men – Keith Holt
- Junior Women – Jo Newcombe