Jenny Nesbitt produced a storming finish to book her ticket to the World Cross Country Championships with victory in Loughborough.

The Welsh runner defied the difficult conditions at the trials to run down Jess Piasecki on the final loop for the victory in the senior women’s race.

Nesbitt’s reward is automatic qualification for Britain’s team for the World Championships in Aarhus, Denmark, later this month.

🎽 It’s @jennynesbitt who was first across the line for the senior women after a very hard fought race! #MuddyBrilliant #InterCounties pic.twitter.com/3s26tm9vy5

— British Athletics (@BritAthletics) March 9, 2019

 

Chasing down a near seven-second deficit on the final loop, Nesbitt cut the tape first in 37:52.

Piasecki held off the challenge of Mhairi MacLennan to take the second automatic qualification spot in 38:05, one second ahead of the Scottish athlete.

“It was really tough out there but that is the sort of cross country that I enjoy because it’s a case of who can grind it out the longest and be patient and it comes down to getting it right on the day and I did that,” said Nesbitt.

“I think that has been the first time I’ve come off and I’ve thought ‘I’ve done that race well today’.

In the closing stages, my coach was yelling at me to push on down the hill and I gave it everything about 100m down the hill and as we rounded the corner into the finishing straight, I have to go back and not look back.

“It means an awful lot to have achieved an automatic qualifying spot for the World Cross Country Championships because it’s been a long time in coming.

“I was disappointed not to make the team in Liverpool and today then became the goal and the focus.”

It’s victory in Loughborough for @mwillisrun, who claims his first Inter Counties win! #MuddyBrilliant pic.twitter.com/QTqDqCs2bt

— British Athletics (@BritAthletics) March 9, 2019

Matt Willis added to the Welsh success by claiming his first inter-counties title in the Under-20’s men’s race.

The Wrexham AC runner’s blistering performance saw him cross the line with a lead of over 100metres, stopping the clock in 29:26.

“It was very windy out there and I used that to my advantage given my triathlon training and I was able to use that to my advantage,” said Willis.

“I stayed in the pack where it was sheltered and I gave it a good kick at the end.

“Last year I came here and blew up and I couldn’t risk doing that again.

“Inter Counties has been my weak link in my career from Under-13 level where I came 212th. Since then I’ve had a sixth, 17th, seventh and a second, but today I’ve finally managed to get the illusive win.”