Pavey delighted to overcome muddy course
Jo Pavey endured a few difficult moments before winning yesterday’s SPAR European Cross Country trial in Liverpool.
Only a few days after returning from a spell of warm weather training in South Africa, Pavey eventually pulled away to the win the six-and-half kilometres race by over 100 metres in 23minutes 28seconds.
But the Commonwealth 5,000 metres silver medallist admitted before blowing away the closest challengers, new discovery Felicity Milton and Kate Reed, she had struggled to control the contest.
Pavey said: “Beforehand I was worried about how I would cope as there had been bad weather and gales which made the course very muddy – conditions I don’t like.
“It was really bad going underfoot and on the first lap I was really struggling in the deep mud and losing ground – it was almost hopeless trying to get a rhythm.
“So I decided when hitting the drier patches of the course to put in as much effort as possible which allowed me to break away – I was very tired, almost at a standstill on the final circuit.
“But it was a good run-out, a solid preparation for the Eurocross and I’m assured the course there is flat, which is good and will suit me.
“I just hope it comes at the end of a sunny week,” said Pavey, the bronze medallist two years ago of the championships taking place in Milan on December 10.
Milton, a 19-year-old Durham University engineering student who switched from hockey to serious athletics running just three months ago, was a revelation.
She deservedly earned automatic selection and a first Norwich Union GB vest for the Italian trip along with Reed – 16th a year ago – who she beat by a second in a time of 23min 53sec.
Commonwealth marathon bronze medallist Liz Yelling was fourth in 23min 59sec with another established GB international Natalie Harvey fifth in 24min 00sec to prove she is over a back injury that ruined her track campaign.
Hayley Yelling, who succeeded Paula Radcliffe to the European women’s title two years ago, along with Pavey was pre-selected in the side which will be announced in full tomorrow.
The men’s trial went to Birmingham University student Frank Tickner, who covered the 10km distance in 31min 18sec.
He finished four seconds clear of Mike Skinner with USA-based Gavin Thompson third in 31:29.
Pre-race favourites Steve Vernon and former European Under 23 5,000m champion Chris Thompson, were fourth and fifth in 31min 36sec and 31min 47sec.
Emily Pidgeon, the European Junior 5,000m champion and winner of the previous three European junior trials, was surprisingly beaten by Stephanie Twell.
Twell, a World Junior Championships 1,500m finalist last, claimed a solid victory over the 4.8km in 17min 48sec.
