SELECTION RACES FOR THE ENGLAND MASTERS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM, INCORPORATING THE ENGLAND MASTERS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS – 26/09/2026

“This is about selection for the British and Irish Masters Cross Country International to be held in Dublin at the National Sports Centre in Abbotswood on 14 November 2026. This involves teams from each of the four Home Nations plus Ireland racing against each other.

These selection races were held in conjunction with the North Staffordshire Cross Country League fixture at the Betley Estate near Crewe. Men up to 64 years raced with the senior men’s league race over 8 km. Men of 65 and over raced with the women’s league race over a course of just under 5km. The course was undulating pasture. The grass was longer than last year, and the absence of cow pats showed it had not been grazed for a while. We were blessed with fine, sunny weather, not too hot.

Geoff was hoping to come out on top in the M80 category

To achieve automatic selection for England you need to finish in the first 4 of your age group for those under 65 and the first three if you are over 65 years of age. The selectors have one discretionary place in each age group for runners unable (or unwilling?) to take part in the selection race, based on submitted times in other suitable races over the last year.

Competition at the upper end of the age groups becomes more about longevity and persistence than talent. Also, for many of us, being willing to commit to the expense and time required to attend a race a long way from home. The M80+ division tends to be more about longevity and persistence than talent. This year it was relatively predictable. New M80 Richard Spendlove would be first finisher in the age group, I would be a clear second and Paul Newby and Michael Johnson would fight it out for the remaining automatic place. And so it proved on the day.

Geoff went over the line as second M80

It could have been a lonely, boring race if it had not been held in conjunction with the North Staffs League Race. There were plenty of mostly much younger women to race against and chase down, so it was good fun racing.

M80 times were as follows:

Richard Spendlove    24.43
Geoff Newton           27.39
Paul Newby               32.04
Michael Johnson        33.08

Geoff did finish first M80 last year but there was no England Masters Champs then

So, the above is also the order of finishing in the M80 group in the inaugural England Masters Cross Country Championships. It would have been nice if there had been an England Champs last year when I was first in the age group.

Geoff gave it his all as he always does

It’s been a frustrating year. As I get older my feet become more painful. Training has become unpleasant with modern trainers with their stacked heels This problem was eventually solved by putting a gel insole into an old pair of racing flats.  However, in the over-enthusiasm that followed I picked up an injury and was unable to run at all in June and July. Retirement has now been put off to at least to the end of the current cross-country season.”

BY GEOFF NEWTON