Fairy-tales tend to have messy beginnings, and for the most part, end in glory for the main protagonists. The mud-caked course for this weekend's Liverpool challenge was akin to the grounds of a warzone, yet with the hearts of lions, many BUAC XC athletes were able to capture their glory. BUAC XC boasts ten athletes that will be competing in Türkiye for the European Cross Country Championships. Out of 538 8k competitors in the senior men’s circuit (including last year’s Liverpool champion Hugo Milner, who has confidently stated “why not me?” in relation to the opportunity to defeat Jakob Ingebrigtsen in Türkiye), Tomer Tarragano managed to outlast all of them, crossing the line first in 24:44 to punch his ticket. On the women’s side, Poppy Tank worked her way to a third place finish with a time of 25:22, setting the pace for the first two laps and then ultimately finding herself in a battle for second place after Belgrave’s Kate Axford effectively took over the race in the final lap .
David Stone embraces Tomer Tarragano after his first place finish.
In the U23 5.6k, David Stone lived up to his name, slinging himself at a goliath of expectations, racing for the first time since February of 2023, and pulling off an impressive first place finish in a time of 17:02. Will Barnicoat—gutted it out behind him in second place, completing his race in 17:15, while teammate Brett Rushman lurked closely behind in fourth place with a time of 17:25. In the women’s section, Kate Willis was the lone lion to claim her ticket, bearing it all and finishing with a second place time of 19:54.
Kate Willis gutting it out in the U23 Women’s 5.6 k
On the shorter course, Tyler Bilyard got on his horse and raced through the 1.5km mark in second place with a time of 4:33 to qualify for the mixed relay in Türkiye, while the U20 4.4k circuit was filled with many other solid performances. Jess Bailey finished in second place with a time of 15:16, and Eleanor Strevens completed the course in 6th place (behind Bailey) in a time of 15:55, both securing spots on the plane. On the men’s side, Quinn Miell-Ingram also crossed the line in fifth place with a time of 13:58, managing to swipe a seat enroute to Türkiye.
Jess Bailey competing at the Liverpool XC Challenge
Liverpool was a culmination of the community based process that BUAC athletics champions. Its focus on building relationships with all athletes no matter the age and background is the reason why it has a spread of athletes across the younger and older age groups that will be competing in the European XC championships. Dean Miller said in a 2022 interview … “I could probably be living a more comfortable lifestyle and not working 24/7, but [it’s important] to feel that you’re building something… That building’s foundation continues to grow stronger”.
With 10 of our athletes off to compete in the European Athletics XC Championships in a weeks time, BUAC make up 25% of the GB & NI team - read about the selection here: GB & NI Team Euro XC Team Selection
Link to results: Sporthive
2022 BUCS XC Championships
By Tony Alfonso
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