Birmingham athletes dominate at Temple Newsam, Kitty Shepherd-Cross stories, with Will Barnicoat and Amelia Quirk taking long-course victories as Charlotte Alexander and Jack Small win short-course races
Regardless of over 70 universities competing, the BUCS Cross Nation Championships has lately developed right into a tug of conflict between the midland titans of Loughborough and Birmingham College. Final yr’s BUCS occasion noticed the ‘African Violets’ dominate with six particular person and staff medals. This Saturday (Feb 3) in Leeds, nevertheless, Birmingham made positive to upend Loughborough’s capacity to stroll on water, as they reclaimed the medal haul.
Charlotte Alexander supplied Birmingham’s first triumph, taking a decisive gold within the ladies’s B race. She showcased an inspiring comeback from harm after returning to operating simply three months in the past. She was ‘’ecstatic to have gained’’, offering a fairy story finish to her BUCS cross-country profession, as she leaves Birmingham this summer time to begin a job in biotechnology.
Charlotte Alexander leads Rosie Hamilton-James (BUCS)
Shortly afterwards, Birmingham’s Amelia Quirk soared to victory within the ladies’s A race. Quirk described it as “a very long time coming”, having been second final yr. That is Quirk’s first BUCS gold, following a flurry of BUCS silver and bronze medals.
Amelia Quirk leads Phoebe Barker (BUCS)
It wasn’t nevertheless till the ultimate occasion of the day that Birmingham’s true ascendence got here. The boys’s A race noticed Birmingham’s unstoppable Will Barnicoat take gold. The double European cross-country champion appeared to triumph with relative ease.
Little doubt his nickname ‘Will Barnigoat’ is catching on after this newest addition to his trophy cupboard. Following his footsteps, team-mates Tomer Tarragano and Oliver Sensible stormed to silver and bronze – making it… BRUM BRUM BRUM at BUCS 2024!
Will Barnicoat (BUCS)
The one particular person gold left went to Loughborough’s Jack Small within the males’s B race. Small’s celebrations had been something however small as a result of upon ending he poured a litre of milk over his head. He tells us his coach, Chris McGeorge, impressed him as the previous 800m worldwide had gained the BUCS cross-country B race in 1983.
Jack Small (BUCS)
Though their general crown was taken, Loughborough’s ladies’s A staff defended their spot as an endurance operating powerhouse. India Barwell, Beth Morley and Tia Wilson all continued their season of outstanding performances to take dwelling a staff gold.
Different notable performances embody Phoebe Barker’s silver within the ladies’s A race. Her transition to triathlon appears to be paying dividends, as this provides to a string of latest successes together with representing England’s cross-country staff in Spain. Lastly, Almi Nerurkar took bronze, celebrating in type by opening a bottle of champagne in entrance of dwelling crowds.
Amelia Quirk with Phoebe Barker (proper) and Almi Nerurkar (left) (BUCS)
This displays only a highlight of the 2000 college runners on Saturday who all showcased grit, willpower and a shiny future for cross-country operating in Britain.
Regardless of British college athletics funding being notably modest in comparison with america, the scenes from BUCS present enthusiasm doesn’t fall far behind. The course at Temple Newsam might have been a far cry from the luxurious NCAA golf programs, however I’m positive its splendour can be misplaced with out the foot deep mud, no entry coverage and signature runner who turns up dressed as Shrek.
Males’s lengthy race staff winners Birmingham Uni with Oxford (left) and Loughborough
The scholars continued their enthusiasm at arguably the largest occasion of the day – the BUCS XC after celebration. No different celebration has seen as many lightweights, Garmins, or exchanges of Strava handles. It’s additionally historically hallmarked by at the least one coach left shocked, their athlete logged their SLR at 3am. Amongst bitter rivalry and large celebrations, BUCS 2024 lived as much as all its hype.
Now we await the following Derby Day, Loughborough vs Birmingham BUCS XC 2025.
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