UK CAU Inter Counties Cross Country Championships at Wollaton Park Nottingham March 15^th 2008

British Selectors keep faith with Frank! Good performances by a number of Harriers.

Frank Tickner the defending champion failed to retain his title at this year’s Inter Counties Championships which also doubled up as the selection race for the British team who compete in the World Championships. The World Championships are being held at the end of March in the magnificent setting of Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, This will be the first time since 1999 that the championships have been held in Great Britain. Frank who has been suffering with a knee injury incurred when he fell badly in his last race, the South of England Championship in January has only just resumed light training.

Following on from the disappointment of not being able to defend his National Title last month he was determined to at least have a crack at defending his Inter Counties title. He was not at his best at Nottingham and although he was up with the leaders on the first of the four undulating 3km laps, he began to lose contact soon afterwards and began to slip back through the field to eventually come home a rather disappointed 17^th. However the British selectors have kept faith with Frank noting that during the course of this season he has beaten all of the runners who finished in front of him last Saturday. With another weeks training under his belt he hopefully will be a little closer to his best for the World Championships where he hopes to vindicate the selectors’ judgement. Older brother Ben who had been in such good form before Christmas and had hoped to make it a Tickner double at this year’s World Championships has also now resumed light training after suffering a leg injury.

Other Harriers competing for the combined Avon and Somerset teams last Saturday were Anna Lewis in the Senior ladies event which was run over 8km Anna had her customary reliable performance to finish midway through the field in 134^th. Laura Parker another athlete returning to competition after illness did well to finish 57^th in the u20 ladies whilst Nicola Morgan after leading the field at the top of the first hill faded a little to finish 38^th in the u17 ladies event.

Three of the Harriers successful u13 girls’ team competed for Avon & Somerset whilst one competed for Dorset. Vera Assis from Shepton Mallet was first home of the quarter in 79^th place. She was closely followed by Lauren Willows in 108^th (competing here for Dorset) and then Kayley Kennedy in 128^th and county champion Emily Smith (another just returning to competition after illness) in 178^th. Tom Thick competed in the u15 boys event where he finished 263^rd.

Well done Frank and all the others that competed so well. The World XC Championships will be broadcast live on BBC TV on Sunday March 30^th. Watch out for Frank and see how many Harriers you can see amongst the supporters!