Megan best Brit in Cardiff Cross Challenge 6k race

Sunday 9th November 2025

Cardiff hosted the opening British Cross Challenge event of the winter.

In the senior women’s 6km race, part of the World Athletics Cross Country Tour, 17-year-old Synthia Chepkirui (KEN) claimed victory in 20:11, leading home compatriot Sheila Jebet (KEN) in second place.

Megan Keith (Inverness Harriers), the 2023 Cardiff winner, was the first Brit home in fourth, with Poppy Tank (City of Plymouth) just ten seconds behind in fifth.

Keith took the race out strongly, leading early and stringing out the field alongside Chepkirui, Jebet, and steeplechaser Ceili McCabe (CAN). However, an untimely stop to remove debris from her spike cost her crucial seconds, allowing the Kenyan duo to surge clear.

The Paris Olympian, Keith said: ‘It was good, I am happy to be back in Cardiff as it is my favourite cross country race and there was such a good feel to it.

‘It was where I wanted to come and open my cross-country season. I was happy to be back.

‘Unfortunately, I had a rough second lap where I got a bit of tree stuck on my spike, so unfortunately I had to stop and pull it out. Then girls had gone, so I tried to keep fighting in the second half of lap but sadlyI couldn’t compete better for the podium today. It is what it is.’

Scottish athletes competed in the one mile relay trials for the Euro Cross.

Cameron Boyek took third and Adam Brown of Aberdeen was 13th. Ryan Martin of Stirling Uni was 19^th. Sarah Calvert was eighth in the Women’s race.

In the Men’s 9.6k race there was a seventh place finish for Angus MacMillan. Central’s Peter Molloy was in 18th place and Corstorphine AAC athlete, Ritchie Gardiner, was placed 28th.

In younger age groups, Zara Redmond of Kilbarchan AAC was fifth in the Women’s U20/U17 race. And Lucia Connell of Strathearn was seventh in the U15 Girls race.