A men’s and women’s team will represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the 2023 European 10,000m Cup in Pacé, France on Saturday 3 June 2023.
UK Athletics’ (UKA) objective for the Cup was to select the best teams possible to achieve medals; and to provide opportunities for athletes on the pathway to GB & NI representation at future major championships.
Some eligible athletes were not available for selection due to not expressing an interest and prioritising other race plans; however, six athletes have been selected to compete in France next month.
Abbie Donnelly (coach: Rob Lewis, club: Lincoln Wellington) and Hannah Irwin (James Thie, Cambridge & Coleridge), who were both members of the bronze-medal winning team from 2022, return to the competition once again, and will be joined by Rebecca Murray (Craig Winrow, Bedford & County) in the women’s race.
In the men’s team, Thomas George (Paul-de-Camps, Birchfield Harriers), Jack Gray (Mark Vile, Cambridge & Coleridge) and Matthew Leach (Dena Evans, Bedford & County) make up the GB & NI trio.
USA-based George ran a personal best of 28:06.26 in California earlier this season and joins Gray and Leach who were separated by just three seconds at the Night of 10,000m PBs on Saturday.
Tom Craggs, the Team Leader of the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team, said, “I am pleased we are providing these athletes with this important development opportunity at the European 10,000m Cup. We’ve seen some excellent performances in the event so far in 2023, and I am confident these athletes will gain great experience against strong European competition in Pacé, so they can develop for future Championships.”
The Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the European 10,000m Cup:
Women
Abbie Donnelly (Rob Lewis, Lincoln Wellington)
Hannah Irwin (James Thie, Cambridge & Coleridge)
Rebecca Murray (Craig Winrow, Bedford & County)
Men
Thomas George (Paul-de-Camps, Birchfield Harriers)
Jack Gray (Mark Vile, Cambridge & Coleridge)
Matthew Leach (Dena Evans, Bedford & County)
