Harriet Knowles-Jones continued her strong winter to beat competition including Jess Judd to win the British Universities’ Cross Country title in west London.
Alex Yee of Leeds Beckett University took victory in the men’s race, despite suffering an injury to his foot that required treatment afterwards.
The event took place within the sports faciities of Brunel University in Uxbridge and involved a tough course in typical rain-soaked, muddy conditions.
Chaos early doors here #BUCSXC pic.twitter.com/7XgwcMRCnw
— LSAC (@LufbraAthletics) February 3, 2018
Around 4,000 competitors took part, including more than 700 in the women’s race won by Knowles-Jones, who described her victory as “completely unexpected.”
The European under-20 cross country champion ran 6.88 kilometres in 22:39 in the colours of Manchester, coming in ahead of Phoebe Law of St Mary’s and Philippa Bowden of Brunel.
Harriet Knowles-Jones takes the #BUCSXC title from Phoebe Law and Philly Bowden @BUCSsport pic.twitter.com/vNIWGEKxLl
— Vinco (@VincoSport) February 3, 2018
#BUCSXC | A ‘completely unexpected’ win for Harriet Knowles-Jones in a field of over 700 women üî•
Full results üëâhttps://t.co/njZ52Di4hV pic.twitter.com/yWWjVLsazq
— BUCS (@BUCSsport) February 3, 2018
Following them were Emily Hosker-Thornhill, and a trio of GB cross country internationals; Jess Judd, Jenny Nesbitt and Mhairi MacLennan.
London 2017 world semi-finalist Judd was still pleased with her result that helped Loughborough University to women’s team gold in the overall standings, despite St Mary’s managing second and fourth.
Loved running for @LufbraAthletics today and so happy to help the girls win the team race! ü•áüèÉüèΩ‚ôÄÔ∏è 5th place behind some great girls will suit me just fine, pleased to leave my XC season here before üá¶üá∫ #bucsxc
— Jess Judd (@jessjuddxx) February 3, 2018
In similar fashion to their female colleagues, the men formed a leading group early in the race, with Alex Yee eventually breaking away from Chris Olley of Imperial College and Emile Cairess of St Mary’s on the last lap.
Yee, a BUCS debutant who has made world junior and world youth finals in two consecutive seasons, finished 9.92 kilometres in 32:35.2.
Leading group at half way #BUCSXC pic.twitter.com/FgVPk1o3iR
— Vinco (@VincoSport) February 3, 2018
Competitors lauded his bravery as after winning, he revealed a large cut to his foot that had torn through his spike, which hadn’t stopped him from finishing.
Good finishes behind from Cairess’ team-mates and pre-race hopefuls Ellis Cross and Paulos Surafel ensured the Twickenam-based team took home team gold.
WATCH: Alex Yee (@lixsanyee) takes the #BUCSXC title for @LBUAthletics ahead of Chris Olley & @EmileCairess @BUCSsport pic.twitter.com/CxC0S1lYqR
— Vinco (@VincoSport) February 3, 2018
In the men’s short race, Luke Prior of St Mary’s came first ahead of Kieran Reilly of Loughborough and Freddie Carcas, whose 2-3 finish ensured those in african violet secured the overall title.
You can see full results on the BUCS website.
