BRISTOL is to host the opening race in the 2011/12 McCain Cross Challenge series.
The city played host to the inaugural Cross Challenge meeting in 1997 and will be the perfect starter to the cross country series which once again features five events in Liverpool, Cardiff, Antrim and the series final in Birmingham.
Happy to see the homecoming, UKA Events Manager Paul Aldridge said, “The addition of Bristol to the series is a real bonus. There is a long history associated with Bristol and Cross Country running and with the fixture just a couple of weeks prior to the European Trials at Liverpool, a very valuable competition for all aspiring athletes.
“With the series now consisting of five events there are great opportunities for athletes to achieve their ambitions across the Cross Country season. The McCain series offers invaluable support to event organisers and also the athletes with over £30k in prize money. As a result the series has become incredibly popular and we’ll be aiming for a record number of participants this season!”
Staged by runbristol, in partnership with Bristol & West AC and UKA, Ashton Court Estate will welcome UKA affiliated club runners from under 13 years through to junior and senior elite athletes and will also incorporate the Mike Sully Championships and Jemma Butler Bowl.
The meeting replaces the British Milers’ Club meeting that was held on the Bristol Downs.
Confirmed events and fixtures:
13 November: Bristol
26 November: Liverpool
15 January: Cardiff
21 January: Antrim
10 March: Birmingham