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MASTERS ATHLETICS CROSS COUNTRY
Although England received the team medals within the 70+ Gold, with Jim McNamara (Ireland) and Les Nicol
section, Scotland’s Betty Gilchrist made history as the first (Scotland), second and third respectively. It was a repeat
winner in this newly inaugurated section. Brigid Quinn’s again, with England taking the team medals.
second place was also Northern Ireland’s second individual
medal; unfortunately, both their represented countries With the extra age groups added to the combined race,
could not form teams within this age group. England’s (there were 198 finishers), there was inevitably going to be
Lesley Bowcott just missed the silver medal by four congestion within the finishing funnel. The officials coped
seconds. with the dilemma and decided to construct a further funnel
for the remaining races.
With the introduction of a 75+ age group, there were now
three men’s age groups contesting the 6k distance within The second race, 4 laps over the 8k distance, was contested
this combined race. by the Men 50+ to 60+ (3 age groups)
Terry Eakin Ben Reynolds
Northern Race Two
Ireland’s only Winner
Gold!
In the youngest age group, the 65+, Terry Eakin was the At the commencement of lap four Ben Reynolds took his
toast of Northern Ireland, winning their only Gold medal. It chance and made a decisive move over his England team-
was a great win, as this was the probably the most mate Guy Bracken, working into a lead of some 15 metres
competitive section of the whole event. The next four up the hill towards Wollaton Hall with Paul Butcher and
athletes, just 8 seconds behind, all received the same Ireland’s Mick Byrne in close attendance. Ben Reynolds
finishing times and it was left to the officials to decide that held on to this lead from the fast finishing Bracken, with
last year’s winner, Ireland’s Martin McEvilly received the only four seconds dividing them at the finish. Paul Butcher
Silver with countryman Pat Collins receiving the Bronze. also held his third place for an England 1-2-3 with fifth
England’s Michael Mann was the unfortunate athlete of the placed scorer, Simon Wright ensuring them of a team Gold.
quartet. Ireland deservedly receiving the Gold team
medals. In the 55+ age group, Rob Atkinson wearing the England
vest took Gold for his second successive win in this group,
What can you say about England’s Martin Ford, this was with Ireland’s Jim Stafford taking Silver and Welshman Ifan
his third consecutive Gold medal, also winning the 70+ in Lloyd the Bronze. With three to score for the team medals,
last year’s Cardiff event. He convincingly won his age Andrew Wetherill and Richard Drage ensured England of
group, finishing just 2 seconds behind the 65+ quartet. The their medals.
race for the Silver medals was also very close with
Scotland’s Robert Young just doing enough to hold off the The 60+ age group was one of the three age groups that
challenge of fast finishing BMAF X/C winner, Welshman England failed to win. Ireland’s Paul Elliott ran a superb
Gordon Orme. With England receiving the Gold team race to take his Gold medal, with Frank Hurley of Scotland
medals. finishing ahead of his fellow countryman Andy McLinden
for their Silver and Bronze medals. Scotland were proud to
Fred Gibbs deservedly had the honour of being the first receive their Gold team medals, for a deserved victory over
medallist in the new 75+ group, convincingly obtaining his the “auld enemy”
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