Sunday's cross country
Friday 14 January 2011
The McCain Cardiff Cross Challenge takes place in Cardiff’s Bute Park on Sunday 16th January.
The prestigious Cardiff Event is Wales’ top Cross Country spectacle, and forms the 2nd fixture in the McCain Cross Challenge Series 2010/2011.
Sunday's event incorporates an Inter-area match in the senior age groups, and schools’ Invitational races through the junior age groups. The master’s races will host the Welsh Cross Country Championships for their respective age categories.
Aldershot, Farnham & District are expected to field strong teams through the junior age groups, including Harriett Preedy and Harvey Dixon who won the under 15 Girls' and under 17 boys' titles in Liverpool respectively. Harvey steps up to the junior men’s category for the Cardiff showpiece, although his team mate Jonathon Hay will be a tough act to follow as he builds on an impressive start to the cross country Season and a dazzling track campaign last summer.
Casrdiff's Ciaran Lewis will be looking to impress in the under 15 boys' race after an emphatic win in last weekend's indoor 3000m championships.
Cardiff's Mike Ward runs in the under 17 boys' race.
The leading entries in the men’s category are Blackheath and Bromley’s Michael Skinner and experienced Great Britain International Frank Tickner running for the South West region. Cardiff club man Alex Hains will be representing Wales as he hopes to build on his 4th place from last year, while his team mates Ieuan Thomas and Adam Bitchell will be running for a Welsh under 23 team. Andrew Friend, Rowan Axe, Mike Kershaw, Lewys Winfield-Young, Jonathon Peters and James Thie are also entered for the club.
The ladies' race is likely to see Gemma Steel start as favourite. The Charnwood athlete finished in 27th place at the recent European Cross Country Championships after sealing a team spot with a fine 3rd place at the trial race in Liverpool. Lauren Deadman, Leigh Lattimore and Laura Parks are also likely to feature prominently. Paris Williams and Bethan Strange will be representing the club.
The Cardiff Cross Challenge is a great spectator event and the organisers would like to invite club members along to watch. The first race is at 11am. For more details please visit their website .