Ipswich Harriers’ John Millar claims impressive win in an England vest
John Millar claims victory at the Home Countries International cross country race at Nottingham last weekend. - Credit: Archant
John (Jack) Millar tasted victory at the prestigious Home Countries International cross country meeting, held at Wollaton Park in Nottingham on Saturday.
Race winner John Millar, of Ipswich Harriers, is flanked by runner-up Tristan Rees, left, and third-placed Lachlan Wellington - Credit: Archant
The impressive Millar, of Ipswich Harriers, won the junior men’s race, while club-mate Alex Lawrence was also in action at this same event, running for the East in the same age-group race, held over an eight-kilometre course.
Last weekend’s performance put the finishing touches to a terrific season for Millar, who is a steeplechase specialist on the track.
Millar was running for England, against teams from Scotland, Wales, the Midlands, North, East, Guernsey, Scottish Schools and Welsh Schools.
The races were run over multiple laps of a testing and undulating 2K course, with Wollaton Hall as the spectacular backdrop, but at least the recent dry weather had left conditions underfoot much better than of late, certainly better than at the other recent major cross country championships.
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Millar is a student at Bath University, and is coached by Harriers’ Stephens Hicks.
Hicks explained: “John took control of the race straight from the start and only a small group were able to keep near him on the first of the four laps.
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“They gradually dropped away as John’s strength on the hills proved too much for them.
“By the end of the race, John had built quite a commanding lead and was able to celebrate a fine victory in his first race in an England vest. The England team also collected team gold,” confirmed Hicks.
Millar clocked a winning time of 25mins 59secs. Scotland’s Tristan Rees was second (26:23) with England’s Lachlan Wellington in third (26:25).
Last month, Suffolk county champion Millar had finished fourth in the under-20 race at the English National Championships.
Meanwhile, Lawrence also enjoyed a good run, finishing in 21st place with 28:03.
Hicks said: Alex (Lawrence) and was particularly pleased to get racing again after the frustrations of having his plans to run at the Bath and Reading half-marathons cancelled by the bad weather.”
Lawrence is also at Bath University, as a first year student.
