A strong Novuna Great Britain and Northern Ireland (GB & NI) team will head to Lagoa in Portugal next month for the 2025 European Cross Country Championships which take place on Sunday 14 December.
Senior trial winners Scott Beattie (Andrew Hobdell, Morpeth) and Cari Hughes (Cardiff) lead the entries for the Novuna GB & NI team after brilliant runs in Liverpool.
Megan Keith (Ross Cairns, Inverness) joins the senior women’s squad, last week she competed in Spain at the World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold, finishing fourth. After recently running 2:24 in the Frankfurt Marathon, Abbie Donnelly (Rob Lewis, Lincoln Wellington), who finished fifth in Liverpool, joins Keith in the squad. Phoebe Anderson (Laurie Henes, Herne Hill) steps up into the senior team after winning the U23 European title last year.
Joining his Morpeth team mate in the men’s senior squad is the experienced Rory Leonard (Andrew Hobdell, Morpeth), the British 10k record holder, came second in Liverpool. After setting a course record in the Northern Counties Relay Championships, Calum Johnson (Alan Storey, Gateshead) and Joe Hudson (Alan Buckley, Keighley & Craven), who finished fifth in Liverpool, make up the final men’s squad.
The double U20 European Champion Innes FitzGerald (Gavin Pavey, Exeter Harriers) will be going for her third European title after putting down a dominant display on Merseyside to take the win. Will Barnicoat (Aldershot, Farnham & District) will also be seeking to retain the U23 European crown for a third time.
Beth Lewis (Andrew Railton, City of York), who won the U17 race in Liverpool, came in second behind FitzGerald in Cardiff and Liverpool, makes the team at 16 years of age.
Jack Higgins (Mark Hookway, Tonbridge) and Holly Dixon (Cambridge) secured their spot in the mixed relay team by winning the Cardiff Cross Challenge short course. They are joined by Ava Lloyd (Trevor Painter, Wigan & District) and an experienced Callum Elson (Andrew Hobdell, Cambridge & Coleridge), both of whom finished second in Cardiff.
Team Leader Sarah Benson said:
“The trial in Liverpool clearly demonstrated the depth and quality within UK cross country. We’re excited to select a team that blends proven performers with emerging athletes making their Great Britain and Northern Ireland debuts.
“Our aim is to be on the podium at these championships and to give developing athletes the platform to progress towards future senior outdoor majors, including the upcoming World Cross Country Championships.
“We are proud of our rich history at this Championship. This event remains a key stepping stone for our endurance pathway, and I’m looking forward to seeing the team seize the opportunity next month.”
Novuna Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the 2025 European Cross Country Championships in Portugal:
Senior Women
Phoebe Anderson (Laurie Henes, Herne Hill)
Abbie Donnelly (Rob Lewis, Lincoln Wellington)
Izzy Fry (Chris and Sonia McGeorge, Newbury)
Cari Hughes (Cardiff)
Megan Keith (Ross Cairns, Inverness)
Poppy Tank (City of Plymouth)
Senior Men
Scott Beattie (Andrew Hobdell, Morpeth)
Jacob Cann (Western Tempo)
Joe Hudson (Alan Buckley, Keighley & Craven)
Calum Johnson (Alan Storey, Gateshead)
Rory Leonard (Andrew Hobdell, Morpeth)
Richard Slade (Matthew Seddon, Chiltern)
Mixed Team Relay
Holly Dixon (Cambridge)
Ava Lloyd (Trevor Painter, Wigan & District)
Jack Higgins (Mark Hookway, Tonbridge)
Callum Elson (Andrew Hobdell, Cambridge & Coleridge)
U23 Women
India Barwell (Lincoln Wellington AC)
Rebecca Flaherty (Matt Seddon, Bingley Harriers)
Megan Harris (Hayley Hemmings, Chelmsford)
Emily Parker (Kyle Bennett, Poole AC)
Mia Waldmann (Mark Booth, Reading)
Bea Wood (City of Salisbury)
U23 Men
Will Barnicoat (Aldershot, Farnham & District)
Jenson Connell (Andrew Henderson, Leeds City)
Joel Doye (Woodford Green Essex Ladies)
Sam Hodgson (Patrick McGrath, Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow)
Matthew Ramsden (Edmund Finucane, Blackburn)
Finley Proffitt (Dean Miller, Trafford)
U20 Women
Innes FitzGerald (Gavin Pavey, Exeter Harriers)
Isabel Holt (Andrew Henderson, Blackburn Harriers)
Beth Lewis (Andrew Railton, City of York)
Eliza Nicholson (Joe Franklin, Blackheath & Bromley)
Zara Redmond (Sarah Dempsey, Kilbarchan)
Lizzie Wellsted (Andrew Henderson, Colchester)
U20 Men
Michael Clark (Jane Clark, City of Norwich)
Jonson Hughes (Andrew Henderson, Rotherham)
Alex Lennon (Nick Hancock, Sutton & District)
Quinn Miell-Ingram (Wendy Miell-Ingram, Radley)
William Rabjohns (Mark Pauley, Poole AC)
Miles Waterworth (Bruce Warren, Brighton Phoenix)