A typically strong British team has been named for the 2024 SPAR European Cross Country Championships in will head to Antalya in Türkiye which take place on Sunday 8 December.
Kate Axford and Tomer Tarragano, senior winners at the trials event in Liverpool on Saturday (23) the team, who have a decorated history at the event. Reigning champions Innes FitzGerald and Will Barnicoat will seek to defend their women’s U20 and men’s U23 titles respectively after booking their places in the squad after fine displays at the trials.
Axford, a former GB hockey international, heads up a stacked senior women’s squad and she will be joined by current European bronze medallist Abbie Donnelly as the squad seeks to retain the team gold medal they won at the 2023 edition in Brussels.
Tarragano leads the way in the senior men’s sextet after his breakthrough display over the muddy terrain in Liverpool. Fourth-placer at last year’s Europeans, Hugo Milner and a previous individual U23 medallist Zakariya Mahamed add further firepower to the squad.
FitzGerald and Barnicoat are two standouts in the age group teams heading to Türkiye. Alongside individual gold, the pair also both won team gold in the U20 women and U23 men’s events last year, and team medals will be the target for all the squad’s representing GB & NI next month.
Strength and depth
Team Leader, Sarah Benson, said: “The trial in Liverpool showcased the strength and depth of cross country running in the UK, and we are delighted to have selected a team full of experienced athletes, and a number of talented individuals who have reached a Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the first time.
“The Championships are incredibly prestigious, and we have a great history in the event. It is important to recognise the significance of the event in the pathway for our endurance athletes in the UK, so I look forward to seeing the athletes step up and achieve their goals at the Championships next month.”
Chris Broadbent for European Athletics