Calum Johnson wins English National Cross Country Championship

Triathletes excel at the Cross Country Nationals

“I can’t quite believe it still!”

(Picture above is from the Northern Cross Country Championships in January 2020)

He was the British Elite Triathlon Champion in 2013 and a Bronze medallist in the World Junior Duathlon Championships in the same year, but I suspect today’s overall win in the English National Cross Country Championships by Calum Johnson may well rank right at the top of his sporting achievements.

Start of the Saucony English men’s National at Nottingham pic.twitter.com/JVoUmHpJsS

— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) February 22, 2020

The Gateshead Harrier came into the race in great form – winner of the Northern Championships in January – taking the win in one of the most iconic races of the domestic calendar. Recent weather meant tough conditions in Nottingham and that clearly suited the Northern athletes, with the 1/2/3/4 from the Northern Championships finishing 1/2/3/5 in the English Champs. The were only separated by former Elite triathlete, Adam Hickey in fourth, who was just ahead of Carl Avery, a three-time Age-Group Duathlon World Champion.

Calum Johnson in 43:36 becomes the first Gateshead Harrier to win the Saucony English National since Brendan Foster since 1977. Joe Steward is second and Linton Johnson is third with Tonbridge winning team gold pic.twitter.com/2s2wLb2eX0

— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) February 22, 2020

Check out Calum’s reaction in the short video above, to see what winning ‘ The National’ means. I’ve just managed to get Calum’s immediate thoughts:

“…it meant to much. It’s been a journey and half to get to this point, beyond struggles at times but moments like this just make sticking at it all worthwhile. I hope I can have a triathlon season like no other too!”

There was even more of a triathlon connection in the top ten, with Mark Buckingham – three-times a Bronze medal winner in the ITU Duathlon Elite World Championships – finishing ninth.

Yorkshire Cross Country champion, Bronwen Owen, was another triathlete on the podium with third place in the Senior Women’s race. Bronwen was part of the British U23 Mixed Relay Triathlon European Championship winning team last year.

ECCA Saucony English National Cross Country Championships
Woolaton Park, Nottingham

Senior Men

1st – Calum Johnson (Gateshead Harriers) – 43:36
2nd – Joe Steward (East Cheshire Harriers) – 43:59
3rd – Linton Taylor (Leeds AC) – 44:13
4th – Adam Hickey (Southed on Sea) – 44:24
5th – Carl Avery (Morpeth Harriers) – 44:33

9th – Mark Buckingham (Holmfirth Harriers) – 44:54