LEE MERRIEN aims to add to his collection of Great Britain vests with a top-five finish at tomorrow’s European Trials in Liverpool.
The Sarnian (pictured( is confident that he can retain his place in the GB squad for the Europeans in Dublin next month, but he knows that only a convincing run at the second race of the McCain Cross Challenge Series will do.
He was fifth overall and fourth Briton at a very muddy and hilly Gateshead course earlier this month, but tomorrow’s event is likely to be tougher with several GB team contenders back in action on Merseyside.
Merrien finished third in the same race last year to win his first GB cross-country vest and said the top three in Liverpool tomorrow will definitely be selected.
‘But Mo Farah is pre-selected so I guess you should be in with a good shout if you finish top five,’ he said.
The Guernseyman said he likes the flatter Liverpool course but the competition promises to be tough.
‘You never quite know who is going to turn up on the day.’ And on the question whether the opposition will be better than in 2008, he added: ‘It is certainly as or more competitive than last year.’
Merrien will not be the only Sarnian cross-country star at Merseyside tomorrow.
Sarah Mercier runs in the under-20 women’s race, Louise Perrio in the women’s event and Katie Rowe in the under-13s.
For a preview of the domestic Fusion Winter League event, see page 55.
Article posted on 27th November, 2009 - 2.29pm
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