26th April 2008
Knockdhu Larne Northern Ireland
All twenty Welsh team members put up an excellent effort at the tough event. Though the conditions were dry the blustery wind made things difficult in places. The junior female team were 1st while the senior men’s, senior ladies and junior men’s teams were all runners up, though there were no individual winners, Anna Bartlett finished 2nd only two seconds behind the race winner. Richard Roberts finished 3rd in the main race, as did Ricky Challinor in the junior race closely followed by the improving Michael Kallenberg in 4th while in the junior women’s race Alaw Beynon-Thomas was 2nd with Carys Thomas only two seconds behind in 3rd.
Overall the event proved to be very enjoyable and rewarding for the athletes, especially for the juniors who gained valuable international experience, and all were made to feel very welcome by our Northern Irish hosts. The decision to take a physiotherapist with the teams this year proved beneficial with the unlucky Nicki Cornock needing treatment following a foot injury which forced him to pull out of the junior event when well placed.
ARWEL LEWIS
Mountain Running Secretary
