Roundhay Park on Saturday 27/02/2010 7.5 Miles 12 Km (Senior Men)
The one hundred and twenty third English National Cross-Country Championships were held at Roundhay Park in Leeds. The course had not been used for 12 years after repairs were required to the Victorian drainage system.
Favourites for the individual title included Andy Vernon (Aldershot, Farnham & District AC), over the country Andy had won the BUCS title and the McCain UK Cross Challenge in Cardiff. Runner up in 2009 Steve Vernon (Stockport County) was holder of the Northern title and Neilson Hall (Bedford & County AC) held the Southern. James Walsh (Leeds City AC) was the Midlands champion and another contender for the medals was 2006 winner Peter Riley (Leigh Harriers).
In the team race the Northern champions Leeds City AC were hoping to regain their title but Coventry Godiva Harriers the Midlands winners and Bedford & County AC - Southern winners and Aldershot, Farnham & District AC - Southern runner-up were also hoping to be in contention.
The recent rain meant that the conditions included some mud but there were also fast sections and the famous Hill 60. On the first lap the first to show were the two Vernons and Moumin Geele (Newham & Essex Beagles) and these three set the pace during the first lap, but towards the end of the lap Andy Vernon and Geele broke away from Steve Vernon.
Moumin Geele (Newham & Essex Beagles AC) and Steve Vernon (Aldershot, Farnham & District AC)
These two battled throughout the second lap and then going into the third circuit Andy Vernon and Geele were working their way through the back markers but in the last mile of the race Andy Vernon managed to break away to win by 9 seconds in 38:01. Geele picked up silver with Steve Vernon ten seconds behind securing the bronze. Neilson Hall placed fourth, with Peter Riley fifth.
Steve Vernon (Aldershot, Farnham & District AC) on his way to victory
Andy Vernon told Athletics Weekly: "The first lap felt steady, not too quick, l was comfortable enough with my speed to think I'd be able to put him away [Geele] should it come down to a sprint, but gradually I got away during the last mile."
Aldershot, Farnham & District AC picked up their first team title since 1985 beating Leeds City AC by 26 points. Aldershot packed 3 in 11 and 6 in 73 giving Andy Vernon double gold. Bedford & County AC came in third nudging Coventry Godiva Harriers into fourth by 18 points. Aldershot team manager Mike Boucher told Athletics Weekly: "We lost Kev Quinn to Mo Farah's stag do, Paul Rodgers dropped out, and our seventh man was only two places behind our sixth. We came prepared today."