A new venue was used for the Senior Women's National Cross-Country Championships, Alton Towers in Staffordshire. The more central location attracted 3,000 more entries than 2007. Alton Towers Theme Park is set in scenic countryside and chairman of host club Staffs Moorlands AC, Glenn Marriott told Athletics Weekly: "But competitors need to take note: some of the rolling hills have more ups and downs than the theme park's rides!" This was the seventy-sixth edition of the race and the runners faced an undulating course with one remarkably short and sharp incline.
Liz Yelling (Bedford & County AC) was a hot favourite for the race and was looking for her fourth triumph in the event.
Straight from the gun Liz Yelling took the lead and never looked like being headed winning by 41 seconds in 23:44. Gemma Miles nee Phillips (Kendal AAC) and Rachel Townend (Winchester & District AC) battled it out for the silver and bronze with Gemma Miles winning that particular battle, Miles described the race to Athletics Weekly: "Liz was away from the gun. Bob [her coach Bob Ashwood] told me to sit in for the first kilometre. Up the first hill, I found myself at the front of the chasing group and thought, 'Just push on and see what happens'. "It got down to between me and Rachel. Up the final hill, I thought, 'Don't look at it - just keep running, l got a little gap and hung on to the finish."
Jo Wilkinson (Bedford & County AC) experienced the disappointment of finishing fourth for the second successive year. Faye Fullerton was up at the front for a good deal of the race and finished fifth with three-time winner Andrea Whitcombe (Harrow AC) sixth.
Liz Yelling told Jason Henderson at Athletics Weekly: "I always love the National, this is a great event. Who says cross country is dying? There is so much raw talent. There are so many positive vibes. You only have to come to an event like this to see the sport's thriving!"
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