Central’s Senior Men are representing Great Britain at the European Champion Clubs Cup (ECCC) cross country championship which takes place at Albufeira, Portugal on Sunday 8 February. This is the third successive year this has happened, but it is a privilege that is hard-won each year. Firstly victory at the Scottish National cross country relays at Cumbernauld in October carries us forward to the UK clubs competition at Liverpool in November. Secondly, victory at Liverpool against the best teams that England, Wales and Northern Ireland can offer that is rewarded by qualification for the ECCC. Britain’s other representatives this year are Herne Hill in the Senior Women, and Aldershot and Farnham in both the Under 20 Women and the Under 20 Men.

The standard of competition is extremely high – 20 of the best athletic clubs in Europe, some of which are semi-professional.

Five athletes are making the journey: Aidan Thompson, Alastair Marshall, Hamish Hickey, Jamie Crowe with Calum Phillip as travelling reserve. Liam McCabe will be there as Team Manager to smooth the team’s path and allow them to perform at their best. The timetable on Sunday morning starts with the Under 20 Women’s race at 10am and the Under 20 Men at 10.30. The Senior Women are off at 11.05 and the Senior Men is the final race starting at 11.55. Portugal is in the same time zone as Britain, so those times are correct for both viewers and participants. Live coverage is on Eurovision Sport at https://eurovisionsport.com/en/explore/sports/athletics .

Event details are at https://aaalgarve.org/index.php/26/4352-eccc-albufeira-2026 .