For the first time in over 20 years, the University of Birmingham’s Cross Country Team won both the women’s and men’s team titles in the British Universities Cross Country Championship 2006, which took place in Stirling on February 4th.
Birmingham’s Frank Tickner won the men’s individual race over the 11.3km course with Richard Kay and Sam Jacobs also finishing in the top five of the overall standings. With four runners in the top fifteen places the University edged out St Mary’s in the overall standings by six points.
Birmingham’s women’s team also put in an extremely consistent performance over the 6.4km course, with three finishers in the individual top ten, led by Claire Holme in 6th. The team’s total of 24 points (based on the finishing positions of the top three runners) beat Loughborough into second by one point
The University’s athletes capped an extremely successful day by placing three athletes in the top 11 of the women’s short race (run over 3.2km) and finishing third in team classification of the Men’s B race.
Daniel Beier the University’s Club Captain for Athletics said: “It was a great weekend for everyone and the team spirit was second to none. After coming so close last year it's fantastic to finally win the men’s team title and the women’s team performed beyond all expectations to make it an unforgettable double. I'm just so glad we won for the many people who have trained so hard for this weekend.”
For more information, contact Ben Hill: Press Office, University of Birmingham. Tel 0121 4145134, 07789 9211163