Selection

The selection for this event was the European Cross Country trial in Liverpool on 24th November: –

Rebecca Weston (South of England) 8th at the trial
Grace Baker (South of England) 12th at the trial
Chloe Richardson (Midlands) 13th at the trial
Rebecca Murray (South of England) 11th at the trial

Travel and Accommodation

These were arranged by Centresport. This was the first time England had sent a team to this fixture this was because the usual Brussels fixture would mean travelling back on Christmas Eve. The only problem with the travel arrangements was the long coach ride and late arrival at the team hotel at Venta de Banos.

Race Day

We visited the course on the Saturday. This was an opportunity for the teams to see the course and think of what footwear to use. On race day we had an early start as the juniors were the first race at 10.00am. We anticipated that passports would be required when the athletes reported this was the same as Burgos and all went well. The race was a two lap course with a few natural obstacles’ and in an open landscape. It was relatively flat course with a few dips but the race was made a true test as the ground was sticky mud.

My team raced to form Rebecca was the first reserve for the European Champs that were held the previous weekend. At the beginning of the second lap Rebecca Weston started to dictate the pace with Grace Baker (the youngest of the team) trying to hold on.

All athletes thought that they had gained valuable experience and guidance on their form.

Rebecca Weston 13.22 Grace Baker 13.30 Chloe Richardson 13.36 Rebecca Murray 13.55Barbara Cutting
Junior Women’s Team Manager