Athletics: Auckland set to be rewarded for fine finish with place in British team

Edinburgh UNIVERSITY’S Rhona Auckland is one of five Scots likely to be named in the British team for next month’s European Cross Country Championships in Budapest, Hungary, following the McCain Cross Challenge and UK Trials in Liverpool.

Auckland finished fourth in the women’s under-20 race won by Aldershot’s Emilia Gorecka, with the first six due to be confirmed in the team.

Former Edinburgh University runner Rosie Smith, now a member of Hunter’s Bog Trotters, finished sixth in the combined senior and under-23 women’s race, but was third senior and so also goes straight into the team. One place ahead of her in the overall race and third under-23 was Beth Potter (Victoria Park), who also wins selection, but there was disappointment for Emily Stewart (Edinburgh AC), who dropped out when lying sixth.

The overall winner and first under-23 runner was Great Edinburgh Run 10k winner Jess Coulson (Stockport). Great Edinburgh Run men’s winner Tom Humphries was fourth in the men’s race won by Jonathon Taylor, with Andy Vernon holding off Steve Vernon for second.

Though not counting for 
European team selection, Capital prospect Josh Kerr (EAC) was a fine winner of the 
under-15 boys race.