IN 2024 Eamonn Martin, the Ex-International runner and Manager of British Athletic teams, put on a cross country meeting called the 'London International' at Parliament Hill Fields, which proved a success' because he said "Hampstead Heath was historically the the heart of cross- country running' but did indicate this year, that the cut in his budget recently meant, that it really might be a help to increase it in the future"
This year it was held in conjunction with' a 'Cross-Challenge event' too. Cliff Robinson, who is the long time 'Cross-Challenge' races organiser, pointed out. "The trouble with this year's event at Parliament Hill clashed with several major league fixtures, which included among them the Metropolitan League & The Chiltern League' "
As a matter of interest he said the 'Inter-counties', that he also organises is held with the 'Cross-Challenge' at Nottingham on -the 7th of March, which will be the '100th year of the Inter-counties cross-country'
The racing on the 7th of February
Hugo Milner, who won the senior race last time the event was held over Hampstead Heath, in 2024. This time the first 3 were1 Hugo Milner of Derby & County AC (32:16) 2 Richard Slade (32:39) 3 James Kingston (32:45).
Kingston of Tonbridge AC had won the Southern at Beckenham Place Park by a huge margin!
Milner, who was 3rd in the European cross-country in 2024, had run 28:36,95 for 10k on the track but was 8th in the World Triathlon Championships in London in 2025 but won the World Cup Triathlon in Japan in 2023. In the cross-country at Parliament Hill Fields this time - I asked him 'When did he feel like going ahead' "Right from the start!" he replied. 'My biggest disappointment was when they chose two, instead of 3 for the UK team for the last Olympic Triathlon and, I missed out, when I was in such good shape. I then lost all motivation, before I had some injury problems but, I am aiming to make the team for the next Olympics (LA 2028)"
Jack Marwood (17) of Salford Harriers, who won the Under 20 race in 26:43. from Jack Sanderson of Settle, who did 26:47. Marwood. having already run 1:52.8 for 800 and 3:49.73 for 1500. "I started running as 9 year old at my local Primary School. I went down to Warrington and by 2023 I had given up playing football to do athletics, am now coached by Ian Grime"
Eleanor Curren, 28, of Leeds City AC, who now runs 50 miles a week said she was 14th two years ago but thought, she had never won a cross-country before. Her best times on the track include 4.30/16.23-1500/5k in what was a hard race, over the very muddy twisting course, it appeared to be a close battle but she won in 29:50, 2nd was Scout Aadkin of Ambleside in 30:01 & 3rd Niamh Brown of Aldershot & Farnham AC 30:08
A couple of younger runners I would like to mention. A fighter, only just 15, winning the Under 17 race in the drizzle
Derragh Whelan, of Limerick AC, who fought his way to victory for Ireland, with quite lot of Irish runners in good positions. He won in 20:42 from another talented lad Joseph Scales of Blackheath & Bromley timed at 20:51.
The Under 13;s race was won by Joshua Maiden (Herts Phoenix) who had a lot of success, winning his Metropolitan league races this season. It was really hard work for most in the drizzle and so much mud about!