Cross Internacional Juan Muguerza – 2023

In 1943, it was a small group of athletics fans, then involved in the Elgoibar Sports Club, who promoted the creation of the Juan Muguerza Cross Memorial in homage to the excellent middle-distance, long-distance and cross-country athlete who achieved international status together with another illustrious elgoibartarra, Ignacio Izaguirre.
Records show that from 1946 the race has been a fixture in the cross country calendar almost without exception every year. The race did not take place in 1950 (the year before I was born so they were clearly preparing for that monumental happening). In 1981 the race was suspended due to snow and in 2021 the race could not take place due to Covid restrictions which brings us to 2023 and the 75th running of this most prestigious race.

A strong England team was faced with the twin challenge of a tough course and a strong French team.

The gun fired and with the smoke still hanging in the air the charge to get to the head of the pack was on. It was clear even after the first lap of the track that the race for the leading places would be between England and France. Edward Bird was the first to show England and with the confidence that a 9th place finish in the recent European Championships in Turin had given him Ed seemed happy to lead and set the early pace.

Tucked in and in close attendance was 4th placer in Turin, Samuel Mills. Rowan Miel-Ingram and debutant Jack Small were only a few paces back and in the top 10. The athletes settled into their running with little changing in the first two small laps with the real rave yet to start. The sparing was over and the gloves were off are the leaders started the first of the two large laps and the hills they included. The pace was hot and as the Edward, Sam and the Frenchman, Imad El Goumri tackled the long hill for the first time behind the main stand for the first time it looked like the enthusiastic start was beginning to have its effect on the field. The fast descent and the short sharp climb at the back of the course had little effect on the lead pack with Edward still cutting out the pace with Sam and the Frenchman. The relentless pace the leaders were setting coupled with the tough conditions was clearly having a major impact down the field as gaps began to show.

One more big lap remained and at this stage the result was difficult to call. I had high hopes of a one, two. The final climb up behind the main stand proved decisive as Imad El Goumri (formally of Morocco) broke away leaving Ed and Sam to fight it out for the 2nd and 3rd spots on the podium.
This time Ed manged to turn the tables on his England and GB team mate Sam, coming home a clear second with Sam maintaining his form to take the third place on the podium.

Rowan Miel-Ingram had run a very solid race but lost touch at the midpoint but rallied really well at the end to claw his way back up the field and into a very respectable 6th place. Jack Small, who had suffered in the later stages of the race finished disappointed in 22nd place. Jack had a fall in the race and lost ground early on. Try as he did, he was unable to move up the field and was sick at the end of the race.

Muddy marvellous.

All in all, it was a good team performance and a great learning experience was had by all as they continue on their development pathways.

1st Imad El Goumri – France – 21:11.00
2nd Edward Bird – England – 21:18.00
3rd Samuel Mills – England – 21:27.00
6th Rowan Miel-Ingram – England – 21:35.00
22nd Jack Small –England – 22:48.00

Keith Holt