This week in Athletics, we have elite cross-country races on both sides of the Atlantic, with big names also announcing their intentions for the indoor season.  

Beattie and Hughes shine in high-class racing in Sefton

Sefton Park in Liverpool played host to an incredible day of racing on Saturday as the best of British Cross Country aimed to book their place in the national team for next month's European Championships. With four slotss available in each race for the top runners.

Following the age-grade races, it was the turn of the Under 20s to take their shot at a GB vest. In the women's races, there was only ever going to be one winner as Innes FitzGerald stormed to a dominant win (14:11), beating out second-place Lizzie Wellstead by just under a minute (15:10). Isabelle Holt of Blackburn Harriers crossed just behind.

It was a dominant performance from the Exeter Harrier as she continued her form from the track season, which saw her take two European titles in the 3000m and 5000m before being selected as the youngest member of the GB team for the Tokyo World Championships. 

The 19-year-old is already a four-time European Cross Country Champion and will be nailed on favourite to make it five in Lagoa three weeks from now. 

Speaking to British Athletiecs FitzGerald said "Theres something I just love about cross country" "I always get nervouse befroe coming out here but I love this course" "I think I just focus on getting to the next tree, getting to the next corner that just breaks up the race" "There is a lot of pressure going into it, I just want to have fun because it's my last race as an under 20" "fingers crossed I'll be in the right place fitness wise to defend that title."

In the Men's U20 race, it was a trio of Michael Clark, William Rabjohns and Alex Lennon who sat on each other's shoulders throughout the 4.4km course. Heading into the final straight, Rabjohns seemed in control before a burst of Energy from Michael Clark took him to the title. 

The city of Norwich athlete is a back-to-back English Schools 3000m champion and showed his calibre at the end of a year that has seen him move up to BMC Grand Prix level and even compete at the Penn Relays. 

Rabjohns, on the other hand, will be looking to write a storied end to what has been an up-and-down year. An accidental step off the track derailed brilliant domestic performances after being boxed in at the European U20 championships, which will motivate the Poole AC athlete to showcase his potential on the continental stage. 

The U23 and senior races toed the line together in a dramatic race that saw the U23 athletes peel off a lap early to complete a 5.6k course. 

In the women's U23 race, it was Chelmsford and Loughborough Megan Harris whose triumphant drive down the home straight saw her come home in 18:46 to take the title. Emily Parker was in second (18:52), rounding out an incredible year which saw her medal at the World University Games and qualify for the European U23 championships in three different events. 

Mia Waldmann of Reading AC crossed in third (19:12). The same position she finished in at this race last year, but with a time improvement of 43 seconds (19:55). 

8 minutes later, Cari Hughes rounded the bend for an emotional victory (27:17). Following a second-place finish at Sefton Park last year, the 2023 Island Games gold medalist improved by over a minute from last year (28:21).

"Honestly, I'm over the moon with that" "It's been a difficult two weeks, I think, leading up I had to miss Cardiff due to issues with my body, just wasn't ready. To come here and take the win, I really can't believe it.", said Hughes following her victory.

City of Plymouth athlete Poppy Tank crossed just two seconds later (27:19), capping off a great year that saw her take the BUCS 5000m title in May. 

Izzy Fry rounded out the podium with a strong showing (27:22), up two places from 2024. 

The Men's U23 race was open for the taking, and from the off, a robust pace had been set thanks to the leaders of the senior race. Turning right after two laps saw Matthew Ramsden of Blackburn Harriers storm through in an awe-inspiring time of 16:37. An incredible jump from an 18th-place finish in 2024. Having pieced together strong performances in the Northern Counties and Inter-County Championships at the start of the year, Ramsden will round out an impressive 2025 in a GB vest. 

Joel Doye of Woodford Green crossed nine seconds later (16:46) with Sam Hodgson of Windsor Slough Eton and Hounslow (16:46) taking the final podium position. An improvement of 20 places from last year. 

The men's race was always going to be a tale of redemption. Scott Beattie finished on the podium in Liverpool last year and was therefore selected for the team to travel to Antalya with eyes on a medal. However, Beattie was unable to board the plane due to issues with his passport. 

In the build-up, many spoke on the potential of Beattie and training partner Rory Leonard taking the race out and attempting to control it. 

The start was fast and hectic, with Leonard hitting the front early on, stringing the field out with Beattie joining him before the end of the first lap. The pair worked off each other throughout a breathtaking performance, with Beattie taking the race out on his own before the last corner. 

Crossing the line in 23:50, the Morpeth Harriers' dream was achieved with Leonard coming home in 24:04. Fellow training partner Callum Elson came through in 14th (24:57), rounding out an incredible race for coach Andy Hobdell. 

Speaking to British Athletics, Beattie said, 'I'm just happy to be going to Portugal after last year's passport debacle, so I'm just happy to get that one off my back, obviously happy to win, but obviously it's more important in three weeks' 

Leonard followed up reviewing his performance 'It was a bit pedestrian in the first half mile, I realised I don't race like this, so I threw in a fast, hard 400." "It's all about what happens in three weeks in Portugal. I think a team medal again, potentially a gold, is on the cards."

The Great Britain team for the European Cross Country Championships will be announced later this week.

NCAA Championships produce a long weekend of controversy

Following tumultuous press conferences on Friday, which saw Oklahoma State head coach Dave Smith tell others to 'Shut up and coach' if they were not going to directly involve themselves with attempting to change rulings that have seen Smith largely rely on foreign athletes to fill his team. Saturday's championship races saw even more controversy. 

7.8k into the men's 10km Division one championship race, multiple athletes began running outside of the course lines as they became boxed in on a tight bend. This led to runners hurdling hay bales and, in some instances, athletes falling over before rejoining the course. 

Habtom Samuel from New Mexico took the win in a time of 28:33.90, with the Oklahoma State Cowboys taking the team title. 

In the women's race, it was a battle between true freshman Jane Hedengren of BYU and Doris Lemngole of Alabama. The pair sat on each other's shoulders throughout the 6km course before a sprint finish in the last 600m saw Lemngole take the title (18:25) 

It would be the North Carolina State team that took the team title.  

Fisher and Hocker are heading to the Armory

Grant Fisher and Cole Hocker will head to The Armory in January, ready to open their seasons at New York's Millrose Games. 

2-time Olympic medalist Fisher will join Olympic and World Champion Hocker at what is now set to be the opening meet of next year's World Indoor Tour Gold on Sunday, February 1st.