The Cross Challenge Series sponsored by SportShoes.com returned to London for the first time in two years, delivering a fantastic day of racing through the infamous conditions and terrain of Parliament Hill. Hugo Milner (Darby AC) stormed to victory in the senior men’s race, winning on his first outing after seven months out with injury, while Eleanor Curran (Leeds City AC) surprised even herself by taking gold in the senior women’s event.

“I just found myself at the front! I was not expecting to be there,” said Curran. “I just kept thinking, don’t look back. I was just happy to get an England vest! I had some great support out on the course – my family haven’t seen me race in a really long time. I think my mum was like, ‘What is she doing at the front?’”

The women’s senior race began at a steady pace, with England’s Curran, Amelia Quirk (Bracknell AC) and Kate O’Niell, Niamh Brown (Aldershot Farnham & District AC) and Scotland’s Scout Atkin, leading the early stages. As the front pack began to string out on the second hill, the group reduced to four. Curran, who placed 17th at the Liverpool Cross Challenge in November, continued to lead, gradually stretching the gap between herself and the other medal contenders.

As the race progressed and the muddy conditions worsened, Curran and Atkin established themselves as the top two before the final 500m downhill, with Brown following in third.

Speaking about the win and the conditions, Curran said: “You just don’t expect to win these things. I’ve never raced well at Parliament Hill because it’s just so muddy. I wouldn’t really call myself the queen of the mud, but I thought, just run through it and tried not to overthink it.”

Looking ahead, Curran is excited for the Nationals in Sedgefield in two weeks’ time.
“This (London Cross) was quite a last‑minute thing for me to do! I’m really excited for the Nationals. I’m part of Leeds City and we’re going to defend our title. It’s a team race, which I love, and that will be my final race of the season. It’s up north—and I love it up there!”

In the senior men’s race, Milner also led from the gun to the finish. Unlike Curran, he found himself almost entirely alone out front, catching his competitors off guard with a fast start up the first hill to establish an early, healthy lead.

“I started off saying in my head, ‘don’t go off too hard’, and immediately after around 100m I had a 20m lead. So I just thought, let’s go for it, and I kept the pressure on and felt strong. In the last couple of laps I just held the pace and didn’t push it too much.”

Behind Milner, a tightly‑packed chase group formed, featuring last year’s Leeds Cross Challenge winner Logan Rees (Fife AC), and former National Cross Country champions Richard Slade (Chiltern Harries AC) and James Kingston (Tonbridge AC), as well as Angus MacMillan (City of York AC).

Milner also won the London leg of the Cross Challenge the last time it was held at Parliament Hill in 2024, which may have contributed to the confidence and ease he showed on a course known for its short, repeated loops rather than long sweeping routes. “I had a really good time and enjoyed racing again.”

While Milner cruised over the line, a fierce battle for the podium unfolded behind him. Richard Slade claimed second place, pulling clear of James Kingston in the final 200m.

The road to this decisive victory has been a long one for Milner, who has battled back from a year‑long injury. “I had a stress reaction; I didn’t train for several months and took the time off. I was hoping to be back for European Cross but I wasn’t ready. But I had this in the calendar and I thought, I’m not going to miss it.

“This is my first race back in seven and a half months,” said Milner. “So it was very strange being back in the pre‑race routine—being on the line, the gun going off, people chasing you. I’ve got the Armagh 5K next week and Nationals in two weeks.”

In the Under‑20 races, England’s Jack Marwood (Salford Harries & AC) and Ireland’s Emma Stewart took the top spots.

“I really enjoyed my race,” said Stewart. “It’s the furthest I’ve ever competed, so I really just wanted to get away from the start and settle in. It was pretty chaotic at the beginning but I just tried to pick them off and make small moves. This is my first international individual medal and I’m absolutely delighted.”

The Under‑20 women raced alongside the Under‑17s, with 15‑year‑old Freya Renton first over the line from the combined field to claim U17 gold.

Marwood led from the start of the U20 men’s race, setting off quickly to stay with Michael Clarke, who recently finished inside the top 20 at the World Cross Country Championships. Marwood’s fearless descending on the steep, muddy downhills helped him open a decisive gap.

“It was halfway through the second lap when I got a bit of a gap, and I just thought I might as well stay there and hold on. At the top corner on the final lap was when I got a good view of where I was, and I knew it would be hard for the others to make up ground downhill.”

When asked what’s next, he replied with a smile: “I’ve entered the Nationals, and I suppose my coach will definitely want me to do that now.”

There were strong performances throughout the junior events, with talented young athletes travelling from across the country to represent their clubs in London. Full results can be found on the on Sporthive website.

The Series will conclude at the Final in Nottingham at Wollaton Park on 7 March with Entries are still open on Entryhub.