Ramsden and Axford win in Cardiff as the cross country season gets going

The cross country season properly started at Llandaff Fields in Cardiff on Sunday, with the first race of the British Athletics Cross Challenge. Matthew Ramsden of Blackburn Harriers and Kate Axford won the senior races, and both had to work hard for it.

A wrong turn and a recovery

The men's race, over 9.6km, had the moment of the day. Ramsden missed the turn into the finishing straight, hurdled the ropes to get back on course, and then chased down James Kingston of Tonbridge to win in 27:26. Kingston was two seconds behind, and Kadar Omar was third in 27:39.

"It was brilliant, my first time at Cardiff Cross," said Ramsden. Not a bad debut.

What I enjoy about this result is the form lines. Kingston anchored Tonbridge to the English Cross Country Relays title in Mansfield eight days earlier, and he's clearly carrying that into the individual races. Omar won the UK 10 mile title at the Great South Run three weeks ago, so a podium on the mud shows his range.

Nothing between them

The women's race, over 6.4km, came down to a kick. Axford and Amelia Quirk of Bracknell AC pulled away on the final lap and both clocked 20:37, with Axford just ahead. Rebecca Flaherty of Bingley Harriers was third, just three seconds back. Laura Muir was in the mix early on too, which shows the quality of the field.

"It was a great race; I was tested all the way," said Axford, which might be the understatement of the weekend.

The under 20s

The junior races were just as good. Maisey Bellwood of Keighley & Craven won the under 20 women's race by 21 seconds from Lizzy Sheridan of Reading, with Eleanor Foster of North Devon third. Rory Barclay-Watt of Exeter Harriers won the under 20 men's race by 10 seconds from Jack Sanderson of Settle Harriers, with Onjoro Sumba of Aldershot, Farnham & District just behind in third.

Next stop, Liverpool

The series moves to Sefton Park in Liverpool on 28 November, and that one matters even more. It's the official trial for the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the European Cross Country Championships in December, so expect plenty of these names to be back, and racing for a vest.

Cross country is the same sport whether you're racing for a GB vest or for your club in a local league on a wet Saturday. If you'd like to try it, find a track near you and the clubs that train there.

Source: British Athletics