The British Athletics Cross Challenge series moves on to Loughborough for its final fixture, which is also the junior trials for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships

Athletes will compete at Loughborough’s Prestwold Hall on Saturday (March 11) as they battle for British Athletics Cross Challenge points plus IAAF World Cross Country Championships selection.

The Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships meet incorporates the fifth and final event of the 2016/17 Cross Challenge series and also acts as the British junior trials for the World Cross, taking place in Kampala, Uganda on March 26.

The first three junior athletes over the line, including under-17 runners, will seal automatic qualification for the junior race in Kampala, with British Athletics intending to select full teams of six athletes for each male and female junior team. Senior athletes will be added to the squad if they are thought to be capable of finishing in the top 30 either this year or in future editions of the event, or where there is considered potential to win a team medal.

When it comes to the Cross Challenge, double series points are available to athletes who have raced at a minimum of two other meetings within the 2016/17 series.

Andy Vernon currently sits top of the Cross Challenge rankings after victories in Milton Keynes and Antrim and set to race against him in Loughborough are Ben Connor and defending champion Dewi Griffiths, plus Adam Hickey and Jonathan Taylor.

Pippa Woolven leads the senior women's standings. Jess Judd, Gemma Steel and Katrina Wootton are among the entries, as are Elle Vernon, Louise Small and Claire Duck.

Juniors in action include Hugo Milner and Jonathan Shields, plus Jodie Judd and Bella Williams.

A provisional entry list and timetable can be found here.