British Inter-Counties Mountain Running Championships and British Mountain Running Championships

On a dry, cold and windy day, North Wales Tom Wood (Eryri Harriers) ran the race of his life to finish 3^rd overall in the British Inter-Counties Mountain Running Championships on Sunday 3^rd May at Sedbergh, Cumbria. The race also incorporated the GB European Off-Road Championship Trial race/s.

Tom was in contention for most of the one short lap and two large laps of the tough 14.5km/980m race but eventually had to succumb to race winner Matthew Knowles (Lancashire) 65:53 and Thomas Hilton (Scotland East) 66.30 with Tom finishing a superb 3^rd in a time of 66.49. Tom was backed up by: 29^th Sam Gunning (Cybi Striders) 74.46. 40^th Rhys Jones (Hebog) 76.47. Sion Edwards (Eryri Harriers) 79.30 and on his North Wales debut Chris McLean (Meirionnydd) 85.41

There were 105 finishers in the senior men’s race

Leading the way for North Wales women once again despite feeling the effects of a heavy racing schedule which included a race double in China last weekend was Eden O’Dea (Deeside AAC) in 14^th position with a time of 86.11 with Efa Baines (Eryri Harriers) while finishing 24^th also claimed a superb under 23 silver in a time of 89.29 followed by 50^th Claire Donnelly (Eryri Harriers) 1.02.09 and her sister Catrin (Eryri Harriers) making progress after a lengthy injury 1.04.51.

There were 77 finishers in the women’s race.

Overall, excellent performances from our North Wales athletes in testing conditions on a tough race route and against quality opposition which included some of the best mountain runners in the UK & N. Ireland.

ARWEL LEWIS

NORTH WALES TEAM COORDINATOR