Ten members of the Elite Sport Programme represented the University of Winchester at the British Universities and Colleges (BUCS) Cross Country Championships at Charnwood College in Loughborough on 31 January.
Five women took on the 8km course in the women’s A race, closely followed by five men who raced over 10km in their A race.
This was the first time in its history that the University has fielded both a men’s and women’s team in the BUCS XC champs and is further proof of the growing success of the Elite Sport Programme which now has 18 athletes as part of its track and field squad.
Not only that but both teams achieved their highest-ever team finishing position with the women coming home 24th out of 35 and the men 31st out of 49.
The women’s team (from left): Libbie Soper, Christina Wigley, Leah Johnson, Jess Hayward and Phoebe Aspinall
For the women, Wells City Harriers endurance runner Phoebe Aspinall ran a superb race to finish 67th and she was ably backed up by Leah Johnson (105th), Christina Wigley (153rd) and Women’s Team Captain Libbie Soper (187th) to complete the four scorers. Jess Hayward was the fifth Winchester women home in 188th.
Brighton & Hove Athletics Club’s Callum Lorimer ran a captain’s race for the Men, crossing the line in a brilliant 77th. He was followed home by the three other scorers Ben Penfold (166th), Louis Forster (220th) and Finley Clements-Foster (228th). Troy Cornwell was the fifth man home in 281st.
The event attracted more than 1,700 competitors running in teams or as individuals, representing 80 universities.
Winchester’s teams were supported on the day by the University’s Sports Therapy team alongside Head Coach Andy Fisher.
Andy said: “The Elite Sport Programme goes from strength to strength - as demonstrated in the University’s best performance at the National University Cross Country Champs. Phoebe and Callum ran fantastic individual races, and this led the teams to their best finishes. It is a testament to the hard work they put in at training.”
Dr Steve Smith, Head of the University’s Elite Sport Programme, said: “The development of our athletics programme is a clear reflection of the sustained commitment of both our athletes and coaching staff over the last few years.
“To field both men’s and women’s teams at the BUCS Cross Country Championships for the first time, and to achieve our highest-ever finishing positions, marks an important step forward for Winchester. These performances show that we are building depth and quality across the programme, with multiple athletes now competing confidently at national level.”
Pictured top: The Men's team (from left): Louis Forster, Ben Penfold, Callum Lorimer, Finley Clements-Foster and Troy Cornwell.
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