NW Road Running duo performed well for Wales at the British & Irish International Cross Country championships in Belfast.

*Pictured above - team manager Bernie Jones (*front left) with some members of the Welsh team at the Belfast races.

NW Road Running duo performed well for Wales at the British & Irish International Cross Country championships in Belfast.

*North Wales Road Runners Will Williams (*above left) and Karen Butler.

Report by Don Hale.

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk

North Wales Road Runners Will Williams and Karen Butler competed well in the British and Irish Masters International Cross-Country Championships at the Billy Neill Country Park, Dundonald, near Belfast last Saturday.

Will performed well in his MV50 age cat on a rather hilly and challenging course despite only just recovering from injury and seemed satisfied after finishing 29th overall in thirty-three minutes and one-second.

And plaudits were also given to NWRRC member Karen Butler who finished 16th in her VW65-75 age cat (24th overall) and she was the1st Welsh veteran athlete in this section following an excellent display in 31.09. Karen also led home some other well-known Welsh runners who packed well including Christine Wyn-Jones 17th in 32.16, Fiona Davies18th in 32.33, VW70 Elizabeth Evans (GOG Triathlon), in 32.46, and Beverley Jones 33.50.

After the event Will Williams confirmed: “That was tough! Not bad though given my injury problems and a lack of training. Always an honour to represent my country and injured or not, I will always give it my all. It’s always such an honour and a privilege to wear the Welsh vest. 

“I only wish I was in better shape, as I have not been able to train consistently for the past three or four months due to injury, but to be honest the standard in these events is so high, that even in peak condition I would not be troubling the leaders.

“A huge thank you to our Welsh team manager Bernie Jones for the opportunity and for all the organising and managing the team. Without people like him, these things would never happen. Also, thanks for getting me up that hill each time! And thanks too to all my team-mates, and some amazing runners who supported me throughout!”

*This is the link to the provisional race results from Belfast: https://myrunresults.com/events/british__irish_masters_xc_2024/5484/club-team-results?runnerClass=men%2050-64&type=Team&category=M50