Athletes representing England took part in the Antrim International Cross Country over the Weekend. The ECCA Team Managers were keen that only athletes who could compete at the front of the Fields would be selected so 3 Senior Women and 2 Senior Men travelled to Northern Ireland for the races. As usual there was a contingent of Africans in both the senior races and both winners came from Kenya with Consesius Kipruto winning the Senior Men’s in a time of 24.36 while Caroline Chepkoech Kipkirui won the Senior Women’s with 18.53.

The England selected runners turned in good performances and Jonathan Taylor (Morpeth H) continued his returned to form with a 5th Placing in 25.27 while Matthew Bowser (Lincoln Wellington AC) placed 8th in field of 202 runners recording 26.02. Best British runner was Andy Vernon invited by the organisers who finish 3rd, 18 secs down on the winner.

The women also had a big field of runners as 131 ran, behind the Kenyan there was keen competition and Fionnuala McCormack (Ireland) being the first non African in 4th spot recording 19.39, 11 seconds back came Pippa Woolven (Wycombe Phoenix) 5th, edging out Claire Duck (City of Leeds AC) by 7 secs in 6th while Louise Small (Aldershot Farnham & Dist AC) was 8th in 20.10.