Birchwood 10k 2022

INTER COUNTY MATCH WITHIN THE BIRCHWOOD 10km, 21.8.2022

MATCH REPORT

The second Inter County match of 2022 was held within the well-established Birchwood 10k, Warrington, in near perfect conditions after overnight rain had cleared away leaving the temperature at 20c and blue skies as the race started.

The men’s event saw N. Wales compete against Cheshire (the hosts), Shropshire and, for the first time, Merseyside. However, a missing marshal saw up to seventeen runners take a wrong turn, which meant they all had to turn around and go back eventually finding the correct point to turn. This had a dramatic effect on the leading groups and added between 90 and 120 seconds to finishing times. Adam Jones (Eryri),(the current Regional 10km champion), worked his way through the field to finish a very creditable 2^nd overall and in the match in 33:48. A great debut. Team captain for the day, Daniel Weston (Wrexham) is better known for his runs in a Welsh vest in the Anglo Celtic 100km international in which he holds the National record. He has been running shorter distances this year, and recording fast times, which earned him his call-up for this event. He was our second finisher (12^th I.C.) in 34:29. Scott Nixon (Wrexham) and Sam Bellis (Buckley) finished together in 14^th and 15^th spots, both were given the same time of 34:33. James Yarwood (Abergele) placed 17^th in 34:48 and another making his debut was the current 5 miles champion Ian Edwards (Eryri) who finished 20^th in 35:38.

Match result: 1. Merseyside 19; 2. Shropshire 28; 3. N. Wales 48; 4. Cheshire 60.

Just as Merseyside’s men dominated their race, so Cheshire’s women were unstoppable in their match. Their 1,2,3 and 4 placings meant they were very clear winners. Fortunately none of the female runners took the wrong route. The N. Wales women’s team included two who were returning to the sport less than twelve months after having babies. The first of these was Gemma Moore (Eryri) – recent winner of the Regional 5 mile title – who finished first for the Region in 5^th with 38.50. Rachel Shipley (Abergele), who was team captain for the day, finished 9^th in 40:12. Jane Doughton (Buckley) is currently in fine form and took over a minute off her p.b. with 40:29 for 10^th. This performance sees her leading the Welsh F45 10k rankings by over a minute. Tracy Rogers (Buckley) is the other lady returning after giving birth this year and her 40:50 for 12^th gives optimism for a return to full race fitness later this year. Claire Wyn-Jones (Deeside) was 14^th in 42:03 which reflects her consistent progress and Christine Cammillare (Deestriders) – who came into the team only 2 weeks before the race – finished in 16^th with a p.b. of 43:16.

Match result: 1. Cheshire 10; 2. N. Wales 36; 3. Shropshire 41.

Our thanks to Mike and Helen Harrington, the Cheshire team managers, for hosting the match. The next in the series will be our home match at the Flintshire 10km in Mold on Sunday 9^th October.

Paul Brooks