MATCH REPORT TELFORD 10KM INTER AREA MATCH 2025

MATCH REPORT

TELFORD 10KM INTER AREA MATCH 2025

The first time we attended this event was in 2018, making this the 8th successive time , and as before the race lived up to its pre-race billing as probably the fastest event for the distance in the U.K. There had been a slight tweak to the course follow-ing a sinkhole appearing, which meant a small change towards the end, but with com-mendable efficiency, the modified course was accurately and officially measured in the week preceding race day. The elite entry list looked like a list of the fastest in the Power of Ten, but our athletes produced some fine performances to justify their inclu-sion.
In the men’s team, Dion Griffith (Meirionnydd), produced probably the performance of the day for N. Wales, as he smashed his p.b. by over a minute, finishing in 30:07, and in 49th spot. That performance moved him into the NWRA rankings at #9 in the all-ages list and #6 in the senior men’s list. Next in was Connor Rogers (Swansea), in 30:29, again a p.b. for him by 20 seconds, in 68th. Our third man home was Luke Bur-gess (Bristol & West), who finished in 30:52 for 80th. Our fourth man was first-year under-23 Noa Vaughan, who was recently the overall winner of the Welsh Inter Re-gion cross country championships. Noa came into the team at the last minute after a late withdrawal to make his debut, and finished in 31:14—only 3 seconds outside his p.b.—for 102nd spot. A fine set of times from our men, with 3 all under 31 minutes and one only 14 seconds outside of that mark.

In the women’s race, Matilda (Tilly) Edwards was making her debut in the team, and she responded by not only leading the women home, but by setting a new p.b. of 36:16 for 429th spot. Tilly is now ranked #9th in the NWRAC senior women’s list. Our second home was Gemma Moore (Eryri). Gemma, who won last month’s Flying Fox 10 miles in the green and orange vest in the Inter County match in Staffordshire; she fin-ished in 36:44, her first time sub-37 minutes, in 460th spot. That time moved her into #3 in the NWRAC F40 lists. Our third home was another making her debut, Mia Rob-erts (Deeside). Mia’s car broke down earlier that day and she was rescued by her coach Neil Edwards, and only arrived at the venue with less than 30 minutes to the start. She finished in 37:20 for 495th spot; Mia’s hectic day was further complicated as she had to leave straight after she finished, as she was going on holiday! She was fol-lowed by Jennifer Rambaldi (Buckley), who is now a veteran of this course; Jennifer finished in 38:18. Our fourth finisher was Evelyn Ashcroft (Denbigh). Evelyn has be-come a regular in the team this year—this was her third appearance of the year- but she was unwell during the race, but battled on to finish in 40:37 for 688th spot.

At the Finish

Match results:

Men: 1. Midlands 10; 2. Wales 14; 3. North 21; 4. N. Wales (Griffiths10; Rogers 13; Burgess 14) 37; 5. UKAF: 48.
Women: 1. North 10; 2. Midlands 15; 3. Wales 20; 4. N. Wales (Edwards 11; Moore 13; Roberts 15) 39; 5. UKAF 14.