British Athletics have confirmed that Claire Duck is to captain the 16-strong team taking part in the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Kampala, Uganda this Sunday 26 March.

Leeds City athlete Duck’s selection for the team and captaincy comes on the back of silver and bronze finishes at the Inter-County and English National Championships respectively. 2017 has also seen Duck retain her title of Northern Champion.

Commenting on on the captaincy, Duck said: “I’m really honoured to have been asked to be team captain for the championships – to represent your country at a global championships is hugely exciting, so to add a team captaincy role to that is unbelievable.”

Regarding the 16 strong British Athletics team set for the championships, Duck added: “I think there is a lot to be excited about; the juniors on the team have shown a lot of promise on the domestic and European stage, and the senior women accompanying myself have all worked extremely hard to achieve this opportunity.”

Spencer Duval Team Leader for the British Athletics, said: “Claire is an athlete who has a wealth of experience, particularly on the cross country circuit, and was something of a natural pick for team captain.

“Like many on the team, this will be her first World Cross Country championships, but I have no doubts that she will step up to the plate in leading by example and giving her all.”

The team headed off today, with Claire tweeting:

Great Britian & NI team for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Kampala, Uganda on Sunday 26 March 2017:

Senior Women:
Claire Duck
Emily Hosker-Thornhill
Rebecca Murray
Louise Small

Junior Men:
Scott Beattie
Ben Davies
Hugo Milner
Luke Prior
Jonathan Shields
Sam Stevens

Junior Women:
Phoebe Barker
Gillian Black
Cari Hughes
Anna MacFadyen
Amelia Quirk
Victoria Weir