Gold and silver for Derby Athletic Club in national cross-country champs backed up by great performances
Runners from Derby Athletic Club triumphed at the Saucony National Cross-Country Championship, with a one-two for DAC’s Hugo Milner and Ben Connor in the Senior Men’s race.
At the other end of the age-group scale, DAC bagged a bronze in the U13 girls’ race at the meeting at Weston Park, Staffordshire, on 14 September, thanks to a gutsy run from Olivia Lee. And there were excellent runs from club athletes across the age groups.
Derby Athletic Club’s Hugo Milner pulled off a triumphant return to the event with an emphatic win across the 12k Senior Men’s course, while teammate Ben Connor finished strongly in second.
The race, with 773 entries and 529 finishers, was by far the biggest at the event, but from two minutes in, it was clear it would be a race for the line between Hugo and Ben.
Hugo had only raced over 12k once before, but by the second lap of three he’d started to stretch away from Ben, hitting it hard from a long way out. He crossed the line in 37:28, 25 seconds clear of Ben in 37:53.
Hugo (pictured right, above with Ben), commented afterwards: “It was hard work, but I think even though I haven’t run that far much, that sort of distance suits me. I’ve always wanted this title. It’s really important to me and I’ve dreamed of it since winning a silver medal in the U13 Boys’ race years ago.”
Hugo mainly trains as a triathlete (like Olympic tri champ Alex Yee, himself a former age group medallist at this event) and competes in the European Triathlon Championships on 21-22 September. A graduate of Harvard in the US, he is now based in the UK again and has his sights set on the 2028 Olympics.
Ben, who competed in the marathon at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, had an injury-hit year in 2023, but this year has set a new course record with his 29:10 win at the Wilne 10k on 1 September and was delighted to be part of the DAC triumph in the nationals.
In the girls’ U13 race Olivia Lee, who achieved 4:37 in the 1500m at English Schools this summer, put in a determined performance to win her bronze medal, her third place especially impressive as her race was the biggest junior event of the day, with 247 finishers. She finished the 3k course in 11:42, just 18 seconds behind the race winner. Joyce Lenton, two years down in the age group, came an excellent 70th place in the same race.
DAC fielded good numbers across the age groups on a fast dry course, with great performances throughout; a special mention goes to U17 boys’ athlete and GB international Ewan Busfield, who came fifth in his race, just five seconds off a medal finish. Three other DAC athletes ran the U17 6k: Leo Powell, enjoying the firm conditions, finished a fine 75th; while strong runs from George Patterson (130) and Joseph Lang (135) ensured that the team finished 8th, and 1st Northern team.
Other great DAC performances came in the U17 girls’ 5k, with Iris Clarke running smoothly in the top 15, eventually achieving a superb 14th. In the U15 boys’ 4k, Sam Watson, Derbyshire Schools Champion, came 55th, while William Croft achieved 117th in a quality field.
Frederick Harrison (95) and Toby Newboult (189) lined up for the U13 boys’ 3k, both new to the event but full of enthusiasm. In the U15 girls’ 4k, Isla Powell (115) and India-Rose Dowey (170) ran well. Evie Jones continues to develop her reputation as a consistent racer. The University of York student produced another high-class performance to finish 21st in the junior women’s 6k. In the junior men’s, Charlie Haste, racing over 10k, continued his list of fine performances with a 63rd placing.
DAC coach Jerry Hall commented afterwards: “We saw reputations confirmed, new stars emerging, and personal goals achieved. A great day for Derby AC, with great athletes, quality coaching and fabulous parent and guardian support. Derby AC is on the move!”