ALEX Teuten’s hopes of selection for the IAAF World Cross-Country Championships have been dashed.

Having finished second in the UK Inter-Counties Championships in Loughborough, the Southampton AC athlete had been hoping to get the call for Kampala, Uganda on Sunday, March 26.

With fellow Hampshire runner Andy Vernon (Aldershot, Farnham & District) – last weekend’s Loughborough champion – ruling himself out of the Worlds, Teuten would have been among the next in line to go.

But British Athletics have announced today that they will not be taking a senior men’s team to Africa because they do not believe they have a potential top-30 finisher.

Teuten, though, is still delighted with his progress, saying: "I was incredibly happy with my race at the UK Champs, although the absence of some big names was a little telling.

“However, you have to face the field you are presented with, and it was really encouraging to be so close to Andy Vernon who has competed for GB at multiple Olympics and is one of our best athletes.

“It was great for Hampshire to complete a one-two in the race. It puts us on the map even though we narrowly missed out on a team medal in fourth."

Southampton AC formed a large part of the county team, with Jamie Knapp, Max Costley and Abdi Mahamed also featuring from the club.

"The course was near perfect for me, a little undulating, mostly firm - a relief as my ankle had been sore from my fall at nationals - and with very few sharp turns," said Teuten.

“Whilst Andy was in a league of his own at the front, I was able to use the hilly back part of the course to break the remainder of the field.”

Reflecting on a wonderful season, Teuten added: “I'm incredibly proud of what I've done - first at BUCS (British Universities and Colleges) and County champs, third in my three international races for England and second in the National and UK Championships.

“That would usually be enough to warrant a place on the GB team at the Worlds, but frustratingly UK Athletics have decided to not send a senior team.

“I can, however, take comfort in knowing I would have been one of the first to be considered and it gives me the opportunity to gain selection for the World Student Games in August."

Teuten, who is running the Reading Half Marathon this weekend, added: “I am determined to secure my first GB vest soon."