Central AC prepare for Euro Clubs XC Champs race in Portugal

Thursday 3rd February 2022

Three of this Central AC quartet are headed for Portual – Jamie Crowe, Cameron Milne and Alastair Hay (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Portugal start-lists

Central AC head into Europe this weekend as they prepare to compete in the Euro Clubs Cross Country Champs.

The event takes place in Portugal on Sunday with the squad led by coach Derek Easton there as the British representatives after strong runs at Liverpool.

Final entries now issued by European Athletics and Central’s travelling five are Jamie Crowe, Alastair Hay, Luca Fanottoli, Cameron Milne and Tom Graham-Marr.

GB international and former Scottish National XC winner, Steph Twell, is listed in the Aldershot Farnham and District team for the Senior Women’s race.

It’s four to race and three to count with Central AC certainly looking for a top half finish with 30 plus clubs expected to be involved.

‘There are some top names there and some very strong clubs so it is a big challenge for us,’ said Derek.

‘It has come down from six to race to four to race from the last time we were involved, which was back in 2013. And, as I say, looking through the listed clubs there are those who can call upon a professional athletes to represent them.

‘But we are looking forward to the weekend. A couple of the athletes have had niggles and we also have some commitments for Uni athletes to BUCS this weekend but we can still field a strong team.

‘I was really pleased with 10th the last time and would like to think we can be in the top half.’

British Athletics website

Derek Easton with Jamie Crowe and Andy Butchart at Liverpool earlier this winter (photo via Central AC)

The full lists are online here with the Euro Clubs Cross Country taking place in Oeiras, Portugal.

Sporting Clube de Portugal will be looking to seal their third successive Senior Women’s team title.

Spanish-based team Atletismo Bikila will be looking to retain their team title and their line-up includes former three-time winner Ayad Lamdassem who has since made an excellent transition to the marathon with a fifth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics.

The highest profile name to be competing at the Jamor National Sports Complex will be Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, the world half marathon champion and world record-holder.

Only 18, Kiplimo won the individual senior title three years ago and he will be looking for individual back-to-back titles for Casone Noceto.

Live results can be found here and the event will be streamed live here.