English Masters Cross Country Trials Draw Top Athletes
Over 200 masters runners, including former European champion Gemma Steel, will compete at Betley Farm for places on the England team for the British and
More than 200 masters runners have entered the inaugural English Masters Cross Country Championships this Saturday, September 26. According to Athletics Weekly, the event at Betley Farm near Crewe doubles as the trial for England's team at the British and Irish Masters Cross Country International in Abbotstown, Ireland, on November 14.
The first three finishers in each age group are guaranteed selection. The remaining team places, two for athletes aged 35-54 and one for those 55 and over, may be awarded as discretionary picks to athletes who miss the trial with a valid reason. England has historically dominated the International, winning 34 of the 36 editions, but faces strong competition when the event is held in Ireland.
Women's Race Preview
The women's race, which also includes men aged 65 and over, is scheduled for 1:30 pm over a 5km course. This is one kilometre shorter than the International distance. The W40 age group is particularly competitive, featuring 13 entries led by former European senior champion Gemma Steel. She will face last year's W35 bronze medallist Katie Latham, who finished 27 seconds ahead of Steel in the 2025 International.
Other contenders in the W40 category include last year's winning England W35 team members Nicola Sutton, Julia Jagger, and Lindsay Skinner, as well as world masters silver medallist Rebecca Luxton.
Key Contenders Across Age Groups
The W50 section is described as having possibly the best women's line-up. It features former senior international Alice Braham, who has set British records at half-marathon and marathon this year. British W45 5km record-holder Kirsty Longley makes her W50 debut, and eight-time International winner Clare Martin is also entered.
In the W60 category, seven-time International champion Clare Elms heads the entries but may miss the trial due to other racing commitments. In her likely absence, Clare Jolliffe, who was England's second scorer as a W55 in 2023, is a team contender. The W65 team looks strong with last year's International top three-Monica Williamson, Sue Cordingley, and Jill Harrison-all bidding for another England place.
Men's Over-65 Race
Men aged 65 and over will compete alongside the women. The M65+ age group has 18 entries, making it the busiest category. Rob Atkinson, a former M40 and two-time M55 champion, is a favourite alongside 2025 International bronze medallist Eric Southam.
Other notable runners include former International M50 winner Graeme Saker, European masters 1500m champion Jed Turner, and former England team member Dave Ogden.
| Age Group | Key Contenders | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| W40 | Gemma Steel, Katie Latham | Steel: former European champion; Latham: 27 secs ahead of Steel in 2025 |
| W50 | Alice Braham, Kirsty Longley, Clare Martin | Braham: British marathon record-holder; Martin: 8-time International winner |
| W65 | Monica Williamson, Sue Cordingley, Jill Harrison | Top three at last year's International |
| M65+ | Rob Atkinson, Eric Southam | Atkinson: former age group champion; Southam: 2025 International bronze |
Several athletes are ineligible for championship medals despite being team contenders. The Potter twins, Jane and Juliet, who are strong W45 contenders, turn 45 between the trial and the International and thus cannot win medals at Betley Farm. Clare Jolliffe in the W60 category does not turn 60 until after the trial.
The event is integrated into a North Staffs League fixture. With English titles, medals, and international team places at stake, the competition promises to be fierce across all age categories.
