It's the big one - National 2009, Pt. 3
Tickner, great run in Italy, he's is ready
It’s the night before the English National XC champs. You can do no more. The spikes are clean, the bag is ready, the vest is proudly packed and don’t forget that Vaseline – although looking at the weather forecast I think sun cream might be more appropriate!
You’ve seen the history well now its time for the business end. The ECCA website gives a great insight into the movers and shakers for this year, with Nicola Bamford‘s view on who will win what. So we wont go too deep, but this is how we see it in the senior men’s and women’s races:
Senior Men
Frank Tickner has run well this winter, he has been consistently our best performer on an international stage (outside of Mo Farah in Brussels that is), if not spectacular. However, his beating of US-based Scot Andy Lemoncello at the Great North Cross and his recent run at the 5 Mills race in Italy (finishing only 7 seconds behind Euro Champ Sergiy Lebid) have underlined his quality on the country, and showed that he has got it right in terms of timing this winter. Who else?
On current form Vernon could be the man to beat...
Well, we think that Steve Vernon could run Frank close. 1. He likes the course 2. He is running very well at the moment (convincingly winning the Northern XC champs) and 3. He loves the hills, and Parliament Hill is as close as you will get to a fell race in London! Another US-based contender is Scott Overall, who’s first run in the UK this winter fell somewhat flat at the Euro XC trails, however his recent runs on the continent have been very impressive and speed-wise Overall is possibly the quickest runner on show.
Scott Overall
Others looking at the placings are Steve’s namesake Andy Vernon who has performed really well as an U23 this winter, but might not quite have it yet at this senior level, Phil Wicks fresh after a great win in the mud-bath marathon that was the Southern Champs is looking good, and possibly Mike Skinner who is due a strong performance this winter.
Phil Wicks - no stranger to big wins
Senior Women
With Steph Twell running her last junior race, Liz Yelling pregnant and other form GB XC runner Freya Murray running in the Scottish champs, this one is wide open. Actually you can probably take your pick from:
Hatti Dean, on her day, top quality, but susceptible to blowing up, especially on the tougher courses. Gemma Miles, who ran superbly in the Northern Champs; and then there is Laura Kenney, Sarah Tunstall, Vicky Wilkinson. The list goes on, but with a lack of outstanding quality and clear favourites we feel that the women’s race could prove to be one of the most exciting of the programme.
Dean - will need all of her steeplechase strength to win
So, there it is, clear as mud. There really is no event like the National XC on the calendar and one thing is for sure the winners will go down in the record books alongside some of the greats in endurance running.
