The 22nd running of the British and Irish Cross Country International took place in Perry Park, Birmingham, on Saturday. It was hosted this year by the England Athletics Masters Association in conjunction with the famous Birchfield Harriers at their excellent facilities at Perry Barr. The event involves five teams: England, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. They all compete as individuals and teams in the various masters’ age categories from 35 upwards. It is highly competitive and fiercely patriotic. But overall there is camaraderie not often seen in athletics which has been matured over many meetings. A deep respect has developed for all those taking part who compete to the best of their ability. The post race prize giving function is where all of this is best witnessed. The Irish team has had a number Mayo AC participants over the past few years and this year Breege Blehein-McHale (o40 ) and Tom Hunt (o60 ) were in the Irish team having qualified at the Masters’ cross country trial in the Phoenix Park last month. Breege had previously taken part in Falkirk, Scotland in 2006, when she ran on the winning Irish o40 team, while Tom was part of the bronze medal team in Belfast (2007 ) and gold medal team in Swansea (2008 ). Conditions in Perry Park were tough, with cold blustery showers but the course — just over 2k lap — was a fair test, some soggy stretches and an uphill finish. Women and o65/70 men ran three laps, and men in remaining categories, four. The Irish women's o40 team won silver and were just pipped for first place by one point by Wales' 14pts (3,4,7 ). Carmel Crowley (Bandon AC ) second, Lucy Darcy (Sportsworld ) fifth, and a great run by Breege Blehein (eighth ) gave them 15 points, with the fourth Irish finisher Helen White (Sportsworld ) in 11th. The Irish o60 team were without 2008 individual winner Martin McEvilly (GCH ) and drafted in two last minute replacements (including Frenchpark native Liam Hester ) finishing fifth with 39 pts (6,16,17 ) behind winners Wales 12pts (1,3,8 ). Tom Meehan (Sligo AC ) won silver with the o50 team in his first appearance for Ireland. England were overall winners once again with Ireland a very creditable second of the five countries. Of the 15 team categories Ireland won three (M35, M55, W50 ) and were second in eight, with four runners winning individual gold: M35, M50, W45, W50.
Good Mayo performances in other events
Anto Devaney finished third in the recent annual Army Cross Country championships at Finner Camp, Donegal. The race was won by Paul Buckley (Ferbane AC ). On Sunday last John Byrne underlined his recent return to form at Hollymount with a clear cut win in the inaugural Clarinbridge 10k in 33.23. Some of this well organised race was over forest trail. Other Mayo AC members to finish were Anto Devaney, Christy O'Malley (who else! ) and Sarah Syron. The event was in aid of the IHPCT Lourdes 2010 fund.
