This annual event, as fiercely contested as ever, was held in Stormont Estate, Belfast on 17 November. Teams from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Rep of Ireland and Wales enjoyed excellently organised races and wonderful hospitality. The scoring is based on six to run, first four in each 5-year age group to count in the men’s 35 through to 64 categories, and 3 to count in the women’s and men over 65 groups.
Split into three races, the women and men’s age groups 65-69 and 70+ ran together over an attractive 6km course that took them by Stormont Castle, through sheltered woods and back on to flat playing fields. Buffeted by a swirling wind and light rain, all age groups raced proudly and competitively for their country. Wendy Nicholls, a British international, led England’s W35-39 team home in 22.54min. Pauline Curley from the Tullamore club in Ireland took the individual silver and Kate Ramsey, England, finished third. Niamh O’Sullivan of Ireland, a previous winner, came in 4th easily first in the W45-49 category. England provided the individual winners of the W40 group through the current BMAF cross country champion Sharon Orridge, Zina Marchant’s good run in the W55 group, Carol Wolstenholme, who has set World W60 Best over various distances on the road, was well clear and Christine Lee got the W65+ title. There was a big cheer for the local Karen Marshall, the 54-year-old enjoyed an emphatic win in the W50 category for N. Ireland, her ninth age group win. Wales broke England’s winning teams sequence, as they lifted the W65 team. Les Haynes from the Northern Veterans club, spearheaded England in the M65-69 group a minute ahead of Scotland’s Peter Carthwright and Gordon Orme, England. The individual M70 medals went to Walter Ryder, who finished an excellent 57th overall in the race, from Harold Dobson and John Perratt, all of England. Scotland and Ireland took silver and bronze.
The second race incorporating age groups M50-64, ran 8km in the predicted heavy rain. Tipton Harrier Mike Hager, an age group winner on several previously occasions, pulled further and further away to win the race in 29.39min; the M55-59 age group and lead the England team to silver. Mike Weedall, runner up for Wales last year, latched on to 2nd place and first in the M50 race from Scotland’s Ian Stewart. Oxford AC’s John Exley, just turned 60 and striding along with his younger rivals, finishing 32nd overall, took the individual M60 title and led England to an emphatic win.
The 8km course was well churned up and slippery as the men’s age groups 35 to 49 sprinted the first 400m for lead supremacy. Much in form Alan McCullough and Steven Cairns in the N. Ireland colours, Stewy Bell for England and Robert Quinn, Scotland led the charge through the first gap and on to the 4-circuit parkland course. The incessant rain did not cool the pace, with the lead changing as the race progressed. Quinn broke clear racing home in 27.52min as Iain Lockett from the Veterans AC paced himself well for runner up and Cairns held on for 3rd. David Morwood, N Ireland 4th here, ran himself into the history books as he is the first winner of the new M35-39 age category. Good team backing ensured a team silver medal for the host nation. Kieran Carlin, 11th and Pat Byrne of Ireland 12th took the minor individual M35 medals and led Ireland to team victory. Stewy Bell pulled a calf muscle but managed to hold on to 6th place. Just two places behind him Daniel Moore was clear in the M45 group from Neil Thin, Scotland and the consistent England member, Clive Bromhall. England, Scotland and Ireland shared the M45 team medals.
Dame Mary Peters CBE, presented the medals at the evening banquet and competitors still managed to dance the night away!