Strong performances from England at Elgoibar cross country
The annual Elgoibar cross country was later this season to allow for the World Cross in Florida the weekend before. The damp drizzle and low clouds over the mountains didn't stop the excited crowds waiting for another great day of racing at this iconic Gold Series Cross Country in the picturesque village of Elgoibar, northern Spain.
Senior Men
The men’s race got off to a steady start as they ran a lap of the track followed by the field before venturing out on four large hilly circuits. The England runners were placed high with Ed Buck (Newark AC) around sixth, Oscar Bell (Herts Phoenix AC / Ware Joggers, Andy Hobdell) and Jenson Connell (Leeds City AC / Leeds Beckett University, Andy Henderson) just a few places back and Jack Millar (Bristol & West AC / Thames Hare and Hounds, David Bedwell) with a steady start around 20th. The laps unfolded without much change until two to go when the front end world class runners turned the screw and spread the runners out more.
The tough climbs on each lap started to take their toll, although Buck - on his England Cross Country debut - was offering great resistance in 14th place, Bell and Connell were a few more places back, and Millar was hovering around 20th.
Entering the last lap, Buck had a real battle with Migalon of Spain for 12th - one he won handsomely in the end. Bell just kept the same speed and showed good endurance to finish 15th while Connell was really struggling - having rolled his ankle on the muddy field. Millar was now one place in front and although it wasn’t looking as though Connell would finish, to his credit he ran it off and chased Millar home for 20th.
The front saw the battle of Aregawi (Ethiopia) - three times runner up at the World Cross Country champs and Amanuel (Eritrea) with Aregawi winning out early on the last lap.
Results
12th: Edward Buck (31:00)
15th: Oscar Bell (31:34)
19th: Jack Millar (32:24)
20th: Jenson Connell (32:38)
Senior Women
It was another fantastic result from the England senior women in the annual visit to this iconic Gold Series Cross Country event.
The senior women's course was run over 7.6km consisting of a lap of the track, one small lap and three large laps. The race started at a fast pace with the Olympic Steeplechase Champion Winfred Yavi, Sheila Jebet (winner of last year's Hannut Cross Country) and Tunisian, Marwa Bouzayani, very quickly opening a gap on the first lap of the track. The following pack led by Lucy Jones (Herne Hill Harriers, Geoff Jerwood) saw Kate O'Neill (Havering AC), Bea Wood (City of Salisbury Athletics and Running Club / Cambridge Uni), and Mia Waldmann (Reading AC / St Mary’s Uni, Mark Booth) along with Isabel Barreiro and Angela Viciosa.
Coming through the tunnel on the first small lap the top three had pulled away and gained a sizeable lead; in the next group Lucy had pulled a small chase pack away including Kate, Barreiro and Viciosa and stretched the field, with Bea and Mia following in the group behind.
As the laps wound down Yavi pulled away from Jebet and Bouzayani and won comfortably by 20 seconds. Lucy worked hard at the front of the following group and kept the pace high; the group fell away one by one leaving herself and Barreiro going into the final lap.
Lucy sprinted hard coming through the tunnel for the final time but Isabel Barreiro finished in fourth place just one second in front of Lucy in fifth. Kate held her position and finished in a very creditable eighth place. Mia and Bea worked hard and finished in 12th and 14th.
Results
5th: Lucy Jones (27.08)
8th: Kate O'Neill (27.50)
12th: Mia Waldmann (28.59)
14th: Bea Wood (29.23)
Junior Women
The junior women’s 5.5km course comprised a lap of the track, one small lap and two larger laps incorporating significant climbs and drops. The race started at a comfortable pace, but it wasn’t too long before a lead pack of ten was established which included the English quartet. As the race entered the first of the two large laps, Fernandez of Spain began to pick up the pace and the leading pack became a single file of athletes. Katie Pye (Aldershot, Farnham & District AC, Mick Woods), Sophie Jacobs (St Albans AC), Isla McGowan (Banbury Harriers AC) were now in fourth, fifth and sixth respectively and Ava James (Brighton & Hove AC, John Clements / Jason Jeffery) in ninth.
As the race continued into the long uphill section, Fernandez continued to pull away from the field with Verrijcken of Belgium in second followed by Katie and Sophie. Isla was still in sixth and Ava in ninth. On the short sharp uphill section on the final lap Fernandez's lead began to close and she was eventually caught by Verrijcken who went on to claim victory with Fernandez in second. Katie crossed the line five seconds behind the winner to take the third podium position followed by Sophie in fourth ten seconds behind the winner. Isla and Ava continued to hold their form to cross the line in seventh and ninth positions respectively.
Results
3rd: Katie Pye (20.29)
4th: Sophie Jacobs (20.34)
7th: Isla McGowan (20.58)
9th: Ava James (22.13)
Junior Men
The England junior men’s team delivered a strong performance, overcoming a challenging course and competitive local athletes. The team, featuring three debutants, quickly established themselves among the leaders.
Rory Barclay-Watt (Exeter Harriers) took an early lead, closely followed by teammate, Ewan Busfield (Derby AC), and local favourite Alvaro Gonzalez (Atletico Salamanca). As the race progressed, Barclay-Watt maintained his advantage, with Busfield moving into second place during the final laps.
Barclay-Watt secured victory with a commanding finish, while Busfield claimed second. Jacob Hurrell (Chelmsford AC) finished fifth, and Myles Fraser (Blackburn Harriers and AC) completed the team’s scoring in eighth place. This result highlights the depth and quality of the England squad and reflects the team’s preparation and determination, marking another successful outing for England’s junior men.
Results
1st: Rory Barclay-Watt (17:42)
2nd: Ewan Busfield (18:03)
5th: Jacob Hurrell (18:22)
8th: Myles Fraser (18:33)