Hugo Milner (Derby AC) and Abbie Donnelly (Lincoln Wellington AC) – pictured #308 above – were the senior champions at the inaugural London International Cross Country held at Parliament Hill Fields, London on Saturday 20 January 2024 – incorporating a leg of the British Athletics Cross Challenge Series and a home international team race.

Both athletes secured automatic selections for Team GB at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Belgrade on 10 February 2024 in this new addition to the winter calendar. England team manager Eamonn Martin drew praise for his vision in creating an event to replace the much-lamented Great Edinburgh Cross Country, providing a spectator-friendly course with a beer tent, big screen, cheer zone, and cow bells to encourage the athletes.

Milner, a promising triathlete targeting the 2024 Paris Olympics, may yet decide not to compete in the World Cross despite finishing fourth in the European Cross Country last month, as reported here in runABC. 

On the rolling slopes of Parliament Hill the Derby athlete was pushed all the way – eventually winning by just two seconds – by the ultra-marathon international Tom Evans (Lewes AC), who also featured on these pages when he was mugged during the Ultra-Trail Cape Town in November. Mahamed Mahamed (Southampton AC) was a close third as England won the team race. Jamie Crowe (Central, 4th) led Scotland to team silver.

The senior women ran the same 10K course as the men and Abbie Donnelly – 2023 European Cross Country bronze medallist – dominated from the gun to win by 23 seconds from Lauren McNeil (Hallamshire Harriers).

The fast-finishing Niamh Brown (Aldershot, Farnham & District) was third as Scotland, led by Scout Adkin (Knavesmire, 7th) took the team honours from England.

There was a full programme of junior races and 4K selection races for the World University Cross Country Championships in Oman next month – the winners being Loughborough Students Beth Morley (Leeds City AC) and Alex Melloy (Cambridge & Coleridge AC).

Full results are at MYLAPS Sporthive Event Results here.

Photo of senior women's race courtesy Mark Hookway of Tonbridge AC