The Cardiff Cross Challenge – the UK’s only World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold Label date – once again produced a brilliant day’s running which attracted more than 2,000 entries.
As well as welcoming world class athletes from around the globe, the event also hosted the opening fixture of the 2025/26 UK Athletics Cross Challenge series.
And for the first time, the Llandaff Fields venue was used as the trial for the Novuna GB and NI mixed relay team for the European Cross Country Championships in Portugal next month.
The trial races, staged in brilliant Cardiff sunshine after a week of rain, produced some fast and furious racing over a one mile course.
Holly Dixon (Cambridge Harriers) scorched across the surprisingly mud free turf to claim the women’s race in 5:02, just a second ahead of Ava Lloyd (Wigan & District AC) and Lucy Jones (Herne Hill Harriers), who was a further second back in third place.
A delighted Dixon said: “I am proud of myself. I just went for it today and gave it my all. I am really happy. I have worked really hard.”
Meanwhile, there was a good old fashioned burn-up coming down the back straight of the men’s race in front of the large and enthusiastic Cardiff crowd.
On the line, Jack Higggins (Tonbridge Athletic Club) claimed the win ahead of Callum Elson (Cambridge & Coleridge AC) and Cameron Boyek (Morpeth Harriers & AC) in third – all three men clocking the same time of 4:23.
Higgins, admitted the win was slightly unexpected, but added: “I am over the moon with that. It is quite a long home straight, so not to go too soon and cover and save a bit for that last 50 and in the end, it worked in my favour.”
The senior races saw a Kenyan double as rising teenage star Cynthia Chepkirui and Mathew Kipsang took the titles.
Seventeen-year-old Chepkirui produced a brilliant performance to claim the senior women’s crown in 20:11 – a full 20 seconds ahead of countrywoman Sheila Jebet, who was second here last year. Canada’s Celli McCabe completed the podium in 20:34.
The highest placed British athlete was Megan Keith (Inverness Harriers AAC) who finished fourth in 20:51, despite having to stop on the second lap due to an issue with her spikes.
Keith, who previously enjoyed victory in Cardiff back in 2023, said afterwards: “I am happy to be back in Cardiff as it is my favourite cross country race and there was such a good feel to it.”
The senior men’s title saw Kipsang produce a blistering finish to lead home an all Kenyan podium ahead of Victor Kimosop and Stephen Kimutai.
Taking the domestic honours was Zak Mahamed (Southampton AC), who finished fourth overall after recently running the Valencia Half Marathon.
Mahamed said: “I know I was in good shape coming into it, but I feel like my legs are still a little heavy from Valencia. I just tried to hang on to the leaders of the pack.”
In a full programme of age group races, ranging from primary school children upwards, outstanding British prospect Innes FitzGerald showed why she is the reigning European Under-20 Cross Country Champion.
The Exeter Harrier stormed to victory in the women’s U17/U20 combined race, while Will Rabjohns (Poole AC) led the field home in the men’s race.
A hugely success day of racing, once again sponsored by SportsShoes.com and Nike, also saw hundreds of athletes from across Wales and the south west of England competing in the second fixture of the John H. Collins Gwent Cross Country Leagues.