Scottish National Cross Country Championship winners, Derek Hawkins (Kilbarachan AC) and Ross Matheson (Lasswade) have been selected for senior and U20 categories respectively in a 24-strong Aviva GB&NI team for the 39th IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Punta Umbria , Spain on Sunday 20 March 2011.
Hawkins selected for GB&NI Team
21 year old Hawkins who was credible 6th in the trial race at the Birmingham Inter Counties Championships at the weekend will be looking to build on this break-through season which started with him representing UK at the European U23 Championships in December and has continued with impressive runs in Edinburgh ; Antrim and Dublin since the turn of the year.
Matheson, still only 18, has had an impressive start to 2011 with a PB indoors at 1500m and strong cross country performances in Edinburgh and Dublin . The experience of competing in such as strong team should be invaluable for his development.
“The World Cross moves to a biennial fixture from 2011 and we were really keen to capitalise on the continued forward momentum of UK endurance running by selecting full teams on this occasion,” said Ian Stewart, Aviva GB&NI Team Leader; “although we knew we’d be without a few of our strongest athletes, particularly in the senior races, we felt it was appropriate – and justified – to do so.”
AVIVA GB & NI TEAM
SENIOR MEN
Luke Gunn ( Bud Baldaro ) – Derby; Derek Hawkins (Lawrie Spence) – Kilbarchan AC; Tom Humphries (Phil Clamp) – Cannock & Staffs AC; Ryan McLeod (John Nuttall) – Tipton Harriers; Andy Vernon (Nick Anderson) – Aldershot, Farnham & District; James Walsh (Mike Baxter) – Leeds City
SENIOR WOMEN
Julia Bleasdale (self-coached) – Hillingdon; Hatti Dean ( Bud Baldaro ] – Hallamshire Harriers; Charlotte Purdue ( Mick Woods ) – AFD; Gemma Steel (Roy Stowell) – Charnwood AC; Stevie Stockton (George Gandy) – Vale Royal; Naomi Taschimowitz (Charlotte Fisher) – Taunton
JUNIOR MEN
Ian Bailey ( Mick Woods ) – AFD; Ben Connor (Jerry Hall) – Derby AC; Tom Curr (Chris Frapwell) – Stroud; Richard Goodman (Geoff Williams) – Shaftesbury Barnet; Jonny Hay ( Mick Woods ) – AFD; Ross Matheson ( Dave Campbell ) – Lasswade
JUNIOR WOMEN
Beth Carter ( Mick Woods ) – AFD; Emelia Gorecka ( Mick Woods ) – AFD; Annabel Gummow (Chris Wooldridge) – Bristol & West; Ruth Haynes ( Mick Woods ) – AFD; Georgia Peel ( Mick Woods ) – AFD; Louise Small ( Mick Woods ) – AFD
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