Inter-County Match at The Flying Foxes 10 Miles

INTER COUNTY MATCH AT THE FLYING FOX 10 MILES

This year’s final match was at the Flying Fox 10 miles race in Standon, Staffordshire, an event that had hosted also in 2024, and one that was certainly not the flattest in the series. Unfortunately, other events, including the Eryri, New York and Abingdon marathons took away several of our selected runners, plus a spate of injuries to others, meant that only 5 North Walians (3 men and 2 women)  took to the start line. Fortunately, it was a sunny and warm autumnal morning in this small village, almost perfect conditions for running. A field of over 400 entered and 383 finished.

The performance of the day for me was the outstanding run of Gemma Moors (Eryri). In a real battle with Staffs’ Saffron Latham, in which the lead changed hands 3 times, Gemma outsprinted her opponent over the last 100 metres, to win the ladies race and the Inter County match in 1:03:12 with Latham given 1:03:13. Eleanor Ashcroft (Denbigh), ran a controlled race and finished 11th in 69:13. Our men also acquitted themselves very well: Edd Flynn (Ellesmere Port) ran well in his first race over the distance for 8th overall in 57:48; and our two debutants (both Cybi) both finished in the top 20, with Chris Pownell 13th in 59:12 and Rhodri Williams– also making his debut at the distance- 17th in 59:28.

Paul Brooks