Vernon and Damen lay down Euro Cross markers
The usual salute from Vernon
It was a familiar sight at Liverpool this weekend as Aldershot’s Andy Vernon won the Euro XC trials for a second consecutive year. However, there was a surprise winner in the women’s race as Louise Damen made a welcome return to competition to take a popular win…
There was some great racing on a surprisingly dry Sefton Park course, will a full programme of UKA racing from U11 onwards. However, it was a gripping men’s race that crowned the day with Vernon pipping fellow young-gun James Wilkinson on the run-in.
Vernon was in the leading pack from the off, but as the large group – which included all of the main contenders in the early stages Going into the final lap, 2009 European Cross Country Championships junior bronze medallist James Wilkinson (coach: Phil Townsend) had moved into contention and latched onto to the leaders and there was no doubt that the race would go down to the wire.
Andy Vernon leads early on
Vernon’s determination eventually secured the win in 28:45, with Wilkinson taking second (28:46) – first under-23 – and Draper in third (28:48).
In the women’s race Damen returned to glory from a long lay-off with injury, and ran out a big winner after taking it on around halfway through the women’s 8km race – eventually winning by a comfortable 14 seconds from Hatti Dean.
The top 3 from the junior, u23 and senior races gain automatic selection for Albufeira in a couple of weeks. Keep an eye on the UKA website for the full team selections in the days ahead.
Hatti Dean leads from eventual winner Louise Damen
Some great reporting from the event by the UKA, including full results, with loads of photos and videos now online. Gwynfor James delivered some of the best shots, with some excellent video coverage by the athleticos crew
