UKA have announced the Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland team selected for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Amman, Jordan on 28 March.
The World Cross assault will be spearheaded by McCain UK Cross Challenge, Inter-Counties and World trials winner (Aldershot, Farnham & District) and Stephanie Twell (Aldershot, Farnham & District).
19 year old Twell clinched her place after an impressive win at the trials in Nottingham on Saturday. It was the latest in a succession of cross country victories for the three times European Junior champion since her step up to the senior ranks at the turn of the year.
Also named in the senior team former 3k steeplechase British record holder Hatti Dean (Hallamshire Harriers).
The junior teams include trials winner Lilly Partridge (Aldershot, Farnham & District). Also in the team is European junior silver medallist Charlotte Purdue (Aldershot, Farnham & District), who is one of an incredible eight athletes from the Hampshire club to be named in the GB & NI team.
Ian Stewart, National Endurance Coach, UKA said: “The World Cross Country Championships is one of the toughest tests any distance runner can possibly face. But this is not something that we should shy away from. On the contrary, it is fantastic opportunity for British athletes to compete against the very best endurance athletes in the world a highly competitive environment.
“Medals will be very hard to come by and may even be beyond our athletes at this stage of their development. But they can use these championships as a stepping stone towards being in a stronger position to challenge for podium positions at future championships on the track as well as the country.
AVIVA GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND TEAM
WOMEN
Hatti Dean (Hallamshire Harriers); Freya Murray (Chester le Street); Jane Potter (Charnwood AC); Sarah Tunstall (Kendal AAC); Stephanie Twell (Aldershot, Farnham & District); Hannah Whitmore (Charnwood AC)
U20 WOMEN
Kate Avery (Shildon Running); Lauren Howarth (Leigh Harriers); Laura Park (Ellenborough AC); Lilly Partridge (Aldershot, Farnham & District); Charlotte Purdue (Aldershot, Farnham & District); Louise Small (Aldershot, Farnham & District)
