Barrie Roberts Reports: My wife Katie and I were privileged to be able to attend and participate in this year`s British and Irish Cross Country International. I first competed in this prestigious event 9 years ago, and some years I find myself competing in the International proper, and other years I have competed in the Open Race.
On the Saturday Morning (the day of the race) I was asked by the Welsh Team Manager if I would compete in the M50s Age Cat Race. I was more than happy to do so as I was expecting to run in the Open Race
ie. the last race of the day, and substantially comprising of the reserves who hadn`t got into their country`s team. Not for the first time I was running against athletes younger than myself, and not only
that, I would have to run 4X2k laps ie.8k, rather than 3X2k laps ie.6k, which I had trained for.
Following the Team Photos,the day`s XC Timetable swung into action:
11:30 6k International Race: All Females,M65,M70,M75.
12:25 8k International Race : M50,M55,M60.
13:15 8k International Race : M35,M40,M45.
14:00 Open Race
All the races were exciting and competitive. I ran in the 12:25 Race,and was able to watch the first and third races. Results and photos on the usual websites.
The Course was very wet and in places extremely muddy. When I told the Race Director that I should have brought my wellingtons, he said, with a glint in his eye (I think it was a glint!),that “it was the
same for everybody!”