The New Balance English Schools Cross Country Championships are set to go ahead tomorrow at Sefton Park, despite growing concerns about the Coronavirus.

All major sporting events in the World have been suspended until April at the earliest, with the Premier League making their announcement today.

However, the ESAA event will go ahead, with thousands travelling to Liverpool to represent their counties in three different age groups for both boys and girls.

In a statement from England Athletics, they announced the current plans to not cancel events:

“The wellbeing of the England Athletics family, whether you’re a member, volunteer or member of staff, is our main priority, particularly with both indoor and outdoor events planned across the country.

“Based on current government advice, there are currently no plans to cancel, postpone or otherwise change any of the national, regional or local competition and events England Athletics delivers.

“It is likely that some if not all UK events will also be cancelled over the coming weeks and we will keep you updated as the situation evolves.”

Liverpool City Council have allowed the use of the 235-acre Park for the 60th Boys and 52nd Girls Championships in history.

The first race of the day will be the Intermediate Girls Championship, over 3800 metres, at 12.30pm.

The final race of the day is the Senior Boys Championship at 3.05pm, which is the longest race of the Championships, at 6700m.

The course map can be found below:

The full Merseyside cross country team can be found below:

Junior Boys:

Liam McKay (St Francis Xaxier College), Alex Poulston (Calday Grange Grammar School), Jack Bernhem (Calday Grange Grammar School), Conrad Lucas (Formby High School), Jack Talbot (St Anselm’s College), Louis Hatton (Calday Grange Grammar School), Josh Redmond (St Hilda’s CF High School) and James Evans (The Bluecoat School).

Junior Girls:

Ella McMutrie (Belvedere Academy), Sophie Fludger (West Kirby Grammar), Emma Gittens (King David), Emily Dean (Greenbank), Lara Bellingham (Merchant Taylors), Gabrielle Phelan (Upton Hall), Iris Davidson (Formby High) and Evie Smith (Wirral Grammar).

Intermediate Boys:

Charlie Teare (King David High School), William Strickley (Wirral Grammar School), Joshua Hale (St Anselm’s College), Daniel Hayes (Calday Grange Grammar School), Ethan Brady-Jones (St John Plessington Catholic College), TJ Jones (Wirral Grammar School), William Sutcliffe (Calday Grange Grammar School) and Michael Henderson (Formby High School).

Intermediate Girls:

Keira Brady Jones (St John Plessington), Olivia Logan (Greenbank High), Faye O’Hare (Broughton Hall), Ellen Mary (Kearney Upton Hall), Emma Fildes (Upton Hall), Lucia Pyne (West Kirby Grammar), Lucy Milling (Sacred Heart) and Zarah White (BHSA).

Senior Boys:

Louis Johnston (St Anselm’s College), Charlie Roberts (Rainhill High School), Jamie Ford (Carmel College), Joe Joinson (St Anselm’s College), Fernando Izqueirdo (St Anselm’s College), Michael Brussells (St Helens College) and Finan Johnston (St Anselm’s College).

Senior Girls:

Rachel Theobald (Upton), Jennifer Williamson (Formby High), Lucy Hignett (Wirral Grammar), Phoebe Lucas, Rachel Hurst (Birkenhead High School), Isabel Hodder (Wirral Grammar), Niamh Donnelly (St Edwards) and Ella McNiven (King David).

Picture by Rept0n1x under Creative Commons License