A look ahead to this weekend’s national cross country championships at Parliament Hill, Callendar Park and Rhug Estate

Parliament Hill stages the historic Saucony English National Cross Country Championships on Saturday, while the the 111th edition of the Welsh Championships takes place at Rhug Estate on the same day and the Scottish National Cross Country Championships in Falkirk on Sunday has attracted the biggest entry field for 21 years.

The first English National was held in 1876, with this the 128th running of the men s race, and entries at 8797 are the highest since 1995. British Athletics Cross Challenge leader Adam Hickey has the race on his calendar and, along with South of England champion Ben Tickner, is a sure starter.

Stockport had Andrew Davies win the Northern but will be without 2014 winner Steve Vernon who misses the event this year for the first time since 2007.

Midland winners Notts AC must start as favourites in the men s team stakes after Alastair Watson led the club to a one-two-three but holders Bedford & County regained their Southern team title and could also challenge.

Gemma Steel has won for the last couple of years but Cardiff Cross Challenge winner Lily Partridge will doubtless want to emulate her mother, Ruth Smeeth, in adding her name to the illustrious roll of honour.

After a disastrous Southern Championships, Aldershot will look to make amends by retaining their National title.

Jonny Davies (pictured) looks to be the one to beat in the junior men s event but Southern champion, Eritraen refugee Abel Tsegay, will be an unknown quantity here. Amy Griffiths headed Aldershot clubmate Grace Baker in the Southern under-20 Championships at Brighton before returning to Stanmer Park a week later to take bronze in the BUCS event.

Over at the Welsh Championships and Dewi Griffiths seeks a fourth consecutive senior title. Senior women s defending champion Andrea Whitcombe is missing, so former teen prodigy Sian Edwards could step up from silver last year, but is set to face tough opposition from Caryl Jones.

A total of 2213 names have been put forward for the Scottish National creating the biggest entry field in over two decades.

Defending champion Callum Hawkins and Central AC s Andrew Butchart are expected to race again this year. Commonwealth Games marathoner Susan Partridge will seek her third title, while injury has ruled out Rhona Auckland.

See the February 19 edition of Athletics Weekly magazine for a much more in-depth two-page preview to this weekend’s National Cross action

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