THERE appears to be a question mark against the future of the South West Cross Country Championships as I understand funding is being slashed to the region’s England Athletics set-up.
That would be a shame as the statistics from last weekend’s event – kindly supplied by John Deaton of Avon AA – prove it was one of the best attended in recent years.
Pictured right some of the Wiltshire senior women’s squad who made the trip to the Exeter race course.
There were a total of 543 finishers across the age groups – from under 11s to veterans – which easily eclipses the 381 last year when the championships (when they were held before Christmas) and the 477 in the 2014/15 season.
There is clearly a demand for this event and whether England Athletics or a more commercial operator takes it on – and Sonya Ellis did a good job in promoting the championships over the previous few years – it is to be hoped it will continue.