Europe Bound

9 AFD members have been selected for team GB to compete at the European CrossCountry Champs and both AFD men and womens teams have been selected to compete at the  European Clubs Cross Country Championships.

After a record breaking year in 2013 AFD cross country runners turned up to Sefton Park Liverpool on the 23^rd November for the trial race for the European Cross Country Championships to be held in Belgrade on the 8^th December, which also incorporated the run off between Welsh, Scottish and English contenders for the European Clubs Cross Country Cup.

While few of AFD younger athletes made the long trip to AFD we had a few representatives:

The under 17 womens race saw Daisy Denstos finish 20^th

The under 17 mens AFD’s Bryn Smith was 65^th

The under 20 womens field saw Emelia Gorgecka win by 12 seconds her 3^rd consecutive under 20 trials race and along with club mate Amy Griffiths who was 3^rd book her ticket to Belgrade European Championships.

AFD Grace Baker was 15^th, Laura Gent18^th, Rebecca Howard 36^th and PoppyDisley 41^st

In the Under 20 men’s race Jack Crabtree in 6^th place was also selected for Belgrade, other AFD runners were: Tobias Smith in27^th, Jack Rowe in 46^th, Ben Bradley in 61^st and Matthew Arnold in 88^th.

The much anticipated Senior Women’s race, which incorporated the Under 23 (the UK sending teams in both age groups to Belgrade) saw:

Charlie Purdue claiming 2 nd in the race and 1^st under 23

Steph Twell 3^rd

Lily Partridge 4^th and 2^nd U23

Jessica Andrews 9^th and 4^th Under 23

In addition to all 4 being selected for GB , they finished ahead of either Central AC or Swansea AC the Scotish and Welsh contenders for European Clubs Cup, guaranteeing AFD represents UK at the Clubs cup.

The remaining AFD finishers were:

Georgie Brinvil 22^nd

Emily Hosker 23^rd

Louise Small 29^th

Lennie Waite 30^th

Ruth Haynes 66^th

In the Senior men’s race AFD’s Andy Vernon went into the lead which he kept to the finish.

Jonny Hay with a fast finish secured 2^nd place and was the first U23, both booking there place to Belgrade.

Tom Wade came in in 15^th

Adam Clarke in 36^th closed in AFD team to defeat Central AC and Cardiff and ensure AFD men also represent UK at the European Clubs Cross Country Champs.

The remaining AFD runners were:

Ian Bailey 37^th

Josh Grace 54^th

Aron Harris 59^th

Josh Wade 65^th

Steve Connor 68^th

Chris Rooke 84^th

A fantastic performance from the AFD squad with 9 representing GB at the European Cross Country in Belgrade on the 8^th December and both Women’s and men’s teams representing the UK at the European Clubs Cross Country Championships on Sunday 2^nd February at Albufeira in Southern Portugal

Goodluck to all.