Inter County Match – 19/11/22

Match Report

Inter-County Match – 19/11/22

Following the cancellation of what was to be our home fixture this year – at
the Flintshire 10km in Mold in October – for the fourth time, our athletes
faced the challenge of the hills at the Meerbrook 15km in Staffordshire. Once again fate conspired against our road runners as the race clashed with the Welsh Inter Region cross-country championships, which saw two late withdrawals from the men’s team to run in the latter event and the loss of another who was injured in the Masters International cross country in
Ireland the previous week. The three remaining men were given the option
of not travelling and they all made that decision; one of the trio, Adam Jones was given a late entry to the Conwy half marathon the following day and responded with second place in a fine 73:09.

So it was left to our women to represent the Region in what is undoubtedly
the toughest of the Inter County series. The first to finish for us was Tracy Rogers (Buckley Runners) in fourth place. Tracy held on to second for most of the race but was overtaken in the last mile. She recorded 63:13, which is the fastest yet by a North Walian lady (the previous best was Jenny Laing’s 65:34 in 2017). Team captain for the day Rachel Shipley (Abergele Harriers) was her consistent self, finishing next in 12th in 68:20. Next in was Claire Wyn-Jones (Deeside A.C.) in 14th in 69:21, over four and a half minutes faster than last year. Jane Doughton (Buckley) is having a fine year with her first Welsh vest in the Masters International cross country and is currently ranked #2 for 10km in Wales. She finished in 15th place in 69:26 beating last year’s time by over three minutes. Christine Cammillare (Deestriders) was having her third outing in a year for the Region and finished in 17th with 74.10; Christine who has already run the full length of Offa’s Dyke this year, ran the Conwy half marathon the following day, recording 103:11. Last in for us was Jen Adams (Buckley Runners). Jen is still working back to full fitness but gave it her best shot and finished 18th in 75:39.
Results: 1. Shropshire 28; 2. Cheshire 30; 3. Staffordshire 33; 4. N. Wales 45.
Paul Brooks