EPACC Athletes Contribute to GB Success at Cross Country Championships

Athletes from the Endurance, Performance and Coaching Centre (EPACC) at St Mary’s University, Twickenham have contributed to team Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s success at the 2014 SPAR European Cross Country Championships this weekend. Team GB secured five medals, putting them at the top of the medal table for the competition which took place on Sunday 14th December in Samakov, Bulgaria. The competition saw six EPACC athletes and one former student compete in a number of categories, contributing to team GBs success at the top of the medal table. Current EPACC runner Jonny Hay took fourth place in the U23 Men’s race with a time of 25:46 whilst teammate Emelia Gorecka finished 12th in the U23 Women’s category. Amy Griffiths, who is currently studying at St Mary’s, took 5th place and helped Team GB secure a Gold medal in the Junior Women’s category. Meanwhile it was a close race in the Senior Women’s race with Steph Twell securing 7th place and Lily Partridge 11th with times of 29:07 and 29:22 respectively. Later in the evening, EPACC athlete and Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist Jo Pavey was announced a runner-up in the coveted BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards. St Mary’s EPACC Coach Craig Winrow said, “The GB and NI team produced some excellent performances with St Mary’s EPACC athletes making a significant contribution.” Full EPACC results for the 2014 European Cross Country Championships: Lily Partridge, current student and EPACC athlete – 11th (Senior Women’s) Steph Twell, EPACC athlete – 7th (Senior Women’s) Jonathan Hay, EPACC athlete – 4th (U23 Men’s) Emelia Gorecka, EPACC athlete – 12th (U23 Women’s) Amy Griffiths, current student and EPACC athlete – 5th (U20 Women’s) Luke Cadwell, EPACC athlete – 40th (Senior Men’s) Tom Wade, former student – 41st (Senior Men’s)