News

Steve on course at Birmingham

Mike Skinner and Steve Vernon

Blackheath's Mike Skinner and Steve Vernon force the pace at the front in the UK Challenge Cross Country event at Birmingham.

Stockport Harriers' international cross country runner Steve Vernon was back in action on his favourite surface at a muddy Sennelys Park, Birmingham for the first round of the UK Challenge Cross Country series on Saturday.

Steve who has not raced since his fourth place in the European Mountain Championships has been in hard training for the last 10 weeks for the forthcoming European Cross Trials at Liverpool's Sefton Park on November 26th.

The Birmingham race over 10km is regarded as one of the tougher courses on the Challenge circuit and includes a water crossing on each of the 3 lap race.

Going into the last lap Steve and Blackheath's Michael Skinner were forcing the pace and were on their own with just the last water obstacle and a mile of the course to go.

At the crossing and having to make their way through the backmarkers who they were lapping, Steve slipped and fell in the knee high brook which gave the Blackheath athlete the initiative.

He was able to open a gap on the Stockport man who chased valiantly to the line but was beaten by 5 seconds in the end.

After the race Steve said "I dont like getting beaten but Mike was stronger on the day over the tough course but I will be ready for the trial in 3 weeks time at Liverpool".

Steve has to finish in the first six to make the team for the European Cross Championships in Holland on December the 11th.

The race series also includes races for the younger age groups giving them an opportunity to race against some of the countrys leading up and coming talent.

1,500 metre runner Ross Millington for Stockport made a good start to his cross season campaign finishing a solid 5th position in the under-17 men's race.

The 16-year-old will race again this weekend at the National Cross Relays in Mansfield over a lightning fast course where Ross has recorded the fastest lap in previous years.

Steve Vernon will also be heading for Mansfield running in the senior men's 4 x 5km race.

Recent News