INSIDE TRACK Talented North duo’s England call-up boost
TURNER AND LEONARD SET FOR DEBUTS
THE region’s athletics supporters are celebrating again after Birtley’s Lydia Turner and Rory Leonard of Morpeth Harriers were included in the England squad for next month’s Cross de Atapuerca cross-country fixture in Burgos.
It will be Turner’s first senior international while Leonard will line up for his debut as a junior (under-20).
The selection of Turner and Leonard comes as no surprise after impressing the selectors in the opening UK Cross Challenge fixture in Cardiff, where Turner finished second under-23 and Leonard finished an excellent runner-up in the junior race after moving up from the under-17 age group.
It will be a welcome return to Burgos for Turner who, four years ago, came out on top in the junior race while Morpeth’s Jonny Taylor was England’s first counter in the senior race.
North East Counties cross-country secretary Archie Jenkins is delighted the pair have been named in the England teams despite it being early in the season.
“It is great news Lydia and Rory have been selected for Burgos which comes on the back of superb runs at Cardiff,’’ said Jenkins, who will be in action as referee at this weekend’s English CrossCountry Relay Championships in Mansfield. “It is not easy to pick up an England vest as crosscountry running is so strong at the moment but both athletes are worthy selections and I am sure they will not let the country down. “While Rory is on the first rung of international recognition, Lydia has had numerous calls in the past as a junior – she finished third in the European Championships in 2014 – so to make the senior team so soon is a bonus and I wish them both well.’’
Both athletes will have to give the second round of the UK Cross Challenge a miss as the November 11 date at Milton Keynes clashes with the Burgos weekend. However, the duo will use the international fixture - they could also line up in the relays on Saturday - as a warm-up for the trials for the European Championships - in Tilburg, Netherlands on December 9 - which take place in Liverpool two weeks later, where they will target a place in their respective GB teams.
It is not easy to pick up an England vest as crosscountry running is very strong right now