HULSON CHALKS UP BIGGEST WIN YET
Charlie Hulson from Rhosesmor took his season to new heights when he won the English National Cross-Country Championships over the notoriously difficult Parliament Hill course in London.
The Sale athlete, who opted for the English meeting instead of the Welsh championships in Corwen because he wanted to be sure of a top-class competition, had his wish fulfilled as the 2,000-strong field included several in-form internationals.
The 21-year-old made his intentions clear on the first of the two 6k laps and though fellow GB internationals Adam Hickey and Richard Goodman tried to stay with him they gradually fell away.
In very muddy conditions Hulson, formerly of Deeside AAC, pulled away and finished in 39.12, 19 seconds clear of runner-up Andrew Hayes (Hallamshire), with former Bangor University student Nick Swinburn (Morpeth) third eight seconds back. Hickey came home seventh.
Hulson, who was naturally delighted with his win - he last ran the English Nationals as a junior man a few years ago and finished in the 20s - has his sights firmly set on the UKC inter-counties' title in Birmingham on March 7, when he will be running for North Wales.
"That is why I felt I needed a good hard run in London," he said. "The season has gone really well but I have been putting the work in."
He has another incentive for going for a win in Birmingham as it will be on his 22nd birthday.
In the ladies' race in London the North Wales Cross-Country League champion Alison Lavender (Oswestry) finished an excellent seventh and former champion Claire Martin (Telford) was 18th.
Charlie Hulson from Rhosesmor took his season to new heights when he won the English National Cross-Country Championships over the notoriously difficult Parliament Hill course in London.
The Sale athlete, who opted for the English meeting instead of the Welsh championships in Corwen because he wanted to be sure of a top-class competition, had his wish fulfilled as the 2,000-strong field included several in-form internationals.
The 21-year-old made his intentions clear on the first of the two 6k laps and though fellow GB internationals Adam Hickey and Richard Goodman tried to stay with him they gradually fell away.
In very muddy conditions Hulson, formerly of Deeside AAC, pulled away and finished in 39.12, 19 seconds clear of runner-up Andrew Hayes (Hallamshire), with former Bangor University student Nick Swinburn (Morpeth) third eight seconds back. Hickey came home seventh.
Hulson, who was naturally delighted with his win - he last ran the English Nationals as a junior man a few years ago and finished in the 20s - has his sights firmly set on the UKC inter-counties' title in Birmingham on March 7, when he will be running for North Wales.
"That is why I felt I needed a good hard run in London," he said. "The season has gone really well but I have been putting the work in."
He has another incentive for going for a win in Birmingham as it will be on his 22nd birthday.
In the ladies' race in London the North Wales Cross-Country League champion Alison Lavender (Oswestry) finished an excellent seventh and former champion Claire Martin (Telford) was 18th.
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