National treasure

THE HISTORIC EVENT TAKES PLACE AT NOTTINGHAM’S WOLLATON PARK ON SATURDAY

AFTER debuting at Harewood House near Leeds last year, the Saucony-sponsored National, for many the highlight of the domestic calendar, returns to more familiar territory at Wollaton Park this weekend.

However, the picturesque Nottingham venue has probably been better known over recent years as the venue for the InterCounties Championships, which is now based at Prestwold Hall near Loughborough.

The English Cross Country Association (ECCA) say they are delighted to return there and are indebted to Nottingham City Council for their help and co-operation in putting the event on together with Mick Robinson’s Notts AC team.

The total of 7683 entries have been received for the 10 races and while way down on the record 9500 at Parliament Hill two years ago is on a par with recent championships held in the Midlands.

Compared with 2019 in Leeds last year entries are up in the four under-15 and under-17 races.

11:00am: under-17 women’s 5km

Defending champion Olivia Mason has moved to the under-20 age group and with South of England champion Bea Wood absent, this could be between Northern champion Lara Crawford, Midlands winner Georgina Campbell and Parliament Hill runner-up Kirsten Stilwell.

Last year’s under-15 champion Holly Weedall is another absentee.

11:25am: under-15 boys 4km

English Schools and South of England champion Lewis Sullivan has been unbeatable this winter and starts favourite after additional wins at Cardiff and Liverpool.

However he has yet to face Northern winner Chris Perkins, who was also successful at Stirling and Milton Keynes. Last year’s under-13 winner Ben Peck could be in the medal hunt as a first year in the age group.

11:45am: under-13 girls 3km

South of England winner Francesca Baxter was fifth in 2019 and a year stronger should do better this time.