Previous winners Megan Keith, Innes FitzGerald and Will Barnicoat have all been named in a strong Great Britain and Northern Ireland for Lagoa 2025 European Cross Country Championships on 14 December.
Keith, a dominant winner of the women’s U23 race in Brussels 2023 will lead the senior women’s team.
The 23-year-old skipped the British trials in Liverpool on Saturday (22), instead she proved her form with an excellent fourth place finish at the Cross Internacional de Atapuerca, a World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold event, in Spain on Sunday (23) – a race won by reigning European champion Nadia Battocletti.
She will be joined in the team by 2023 senior women’s bronze medallist Abbie Donnelly and Phoebe Anderson, who steps up into the senior team after winning the U23 European title last year.
FitzGerald and Barnicoat on track for hat-trick titles
After an impressive victory in the trials in Liverpool, Innes FitzGerald will head to Lagoa as favourite to secure a third successive women’s U20 title, following her successes at both Brussels 2023 and Antalya 2024.
Will Barnicoat will also be looking for his third successive victory in the men’s U23 race. He also won gold in the men’s U20 race in Turin 2022, so could conceivably be targeting his fourth successive gold at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships.
The senior men's team will be led by training partners Scott Beattie and Rory Leonard, plus Richard Slade, who finished first and second and third in Liverpool in impressive style.
"Proud of our rich history"
Team Leader Sarah Benson said: “The trial in Liverpool clearly demonstrated the depth and quality within UK cross country. We’re excited to select a team that blends proven performers with emerging athletes making their Great Britain and Northern Ireland debuts.
“Our aim is to win medals at these championships and to give developing athletes the platform to progress towards future senior outdoor majors, including the upcoming World Cross Country Championships.
“We are proud of our rich history at this Championship. This event remains a key stepping stone for our endurance pathway, and I’m looking forward to seeing the team seize the opportunity next month.”
