Within the 148-year historical past of the English Nationwide Cross Nation Championships, the occasion has solely been known as off because of world wars and the Covid pandemic in 2021. However the 2024 occasion, which was because of unfold in Weston Park in Shropshire, has been postponed because of torrential rain on Thursday evening flooding the course.
With solely 24 hours earlier than the races have been because of begin, the English Cross Nation Affiliation launched a press release to say that “circumstances have been not possible for parking”.
The Weston Park venue is about 9 miles away from Telford and never straightforward to get to through public transport. So with nearly all of groups arriving in buses and vehicles, it meant parking was a significant factor.
Final 12 months’s occasion in Bolesworth Citadel close to Chester was equally troublesome to get to on public transport and it led to athletes being caught in visitors jams approaching the venue.
Nationwide Cross (Mark Shearman)
The ECCA mentioned on Friday (Feb 23): “We very a lot remorse to announce that regardless of each effort being made, we’re unable to carry the Nationwide Championships at Weston Park on Saturday.
“Thursday noticed torrential rain for a lot of hours, and far of the Park, together with parking areas are underwater. Falling on already saturated floor, this made circumstances not possible for parking.
“Now we have spent the final 24 hours exploring each potential different, however now we have not been in a position to remedy the parking points.
“We are going to now discover all potential choices, to carry our Championships at an appropriate future date.
“We sincerely apologise for all of the logistical and monetary issues that this may trigger each golf equipment and people.”
AW understands that organisers undoubtedly wish to reschedule the occasion slightly than merely cancelling it. With inns already booked, officers nonetheless plan to reach on the venue right now (Feb 23) to evaluate the course and to debate plans for a re-arranged occasion.
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