Andy Vernon and Hatti Dean were first past the post at last weekend’s McCain Liverpool Cross Challenge to secure their place on the British team for the European Cross-country Championships in Velenje, Slovenia, next month.

The races, which incorporated the official trial for the European Cross, were held in mild but blustery conditions. In the senior men’s 9.8km race, a large lead pack formed early on, which got whittled down as the pace increased after the half-way point.

Vernon, Ryan McLeod, James Walsh, Mark Draper and Andy Baddeley were all in contention, but Vernon bided his time well and kicked on at the finish to power past Draper, winning in 29:19. Draper (29:22) and McLeod (29:24) took the other two automatic qualification spots.

“It’s a tough course – there is nothing to break up the running, there are no hills or anything like that,” said Vernon. “The way my season has panned out and the way my training has been going, I’m definitely going there (Slovenia) with a view for a medal. I would be disappointed if I didn’t come in the top five.”

The women’s 8.1km race was just as competitive. Bristol Cross Challenge winner Gemma Steel was competing in her toughest cross-country test of the winter season so far. The Charnwood athlete was one of the early leaders, alongside steeplechaser Hatti Dean, Julia Bleasdale, Elle Baker and Freya Murray.

Steel and Dean then began to pull away, while Steph Twell – returning from injury – started to make her way through the field. The two leaders continued to extend their lead as Hannah Walker moved into third, with Twell and Murray locked in their own battle a few strides behind.

In the end it was Dean who had the better finishing pace, holding off Steel to win in 27:05, four seconds clear. Murray came through to take third ahead of Walker, both clocking 27:32, with Twell in fifth (27:37).

“I had no idea what shape I was in,” said Dean, who has recently returned from altitude training in Kenya. “I felt really good in Kenya, but I wasn’t doing track sessions, just a lot of mileage and sessions on the roads, so I didn’t have real markers.”

The junior races went to Aldershot training partners Jonny Hay and Emelia Gorecka. Hay made his trademark late surge in the closing stages to win the junior men’s 6.7km race in 20:23, six seconds clear of Richard Goodman.

The junior women’s race, which also incorporated the under-17 women’s race, saw a mouth-watering clash between Gorecka and Jessica Judd, the world youth 800m bronze medallist. Judd shot into the early lead, but Gorecka gradually reeled in her younger rival and passed her, covering the 4.4km course in 14:54. Judd clocked 15:10 in second overall, but a clear winner of the under-17 race, some 15 seconds ahead of her nearest under-17 opponent.

See this week’s Athletics Weekly for full report, results and pictures from Liverpool.

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