RACE REPORT

The 34th British and Irish Masters Cross Country International Championship took place in Tollcross Park, Glasgow, Scotland. The Scottish Masters team hosted a hugely successful event maintaining a very high standard of organisation and creating an incredible athlete experience.

Athletes and their teams were made to feel very special indeed.

For these championships each home nation's country hosts the event every 5 years. The home nations have built up strong relationships with each other over the years.

Athletes qualified for their countries after running in their own home nations events. As ever we see that each year seems to increase with the quality of masters athletes as it is extremely competitive. Wearing your national singlet makes it that bit more special.

The host nation Scotland were strong this year with Ireland and England also pushing hard to take the overall title by accumulating the most points possible to win. Scotland started the ball rolling with a win in the Men's 65+ team. England took 1st M70+ team and England again won the Men's 75+ team with Ireland 2nd. The Women's 65+ was won by Scotland and Ireland was 2nd. In the women's 70+ team competition Ireland came out on top.

Next up was the women's 35 to 64 race. Ireland were the powerhouse in this race. They were 2nd in W35+ team, 1st W40+ team, 1st W45+ team, 4th W50+, 1st W55 team and 2nd W60+. Ireland had a 1 and 2 in the individual race itself. Teresa Doherty (1st) who is an W45+ and Dympna Ryan (2nd) a W40+ took out the race and led from start to finish.

This put Ireland into a good overall position.

Race 3 was the Men's 50+ to 64. Scotland did well here packing up in numbers. However, Ireland's Declan Toal stole the show, winning well. He went right from the gun and made the pack try to chase. Tim Hartley of England tried to chase and close the gap but was unable to catch the flying Irishman. Scotland won the Men's 50+ team and the Men's 55+ team. England won the Men's 60+ .

Race 4 was the Men's 35 to 49 race that was stacked with some real quality athletes. England needed to get some team wins under their belt to push Ireland and Scotland. They won the Men's 35+ team with Ireland 2nd and Scotland 3rd. England again took top team in the Men's 40+ with Scotland 2nd and Ireland 3rd. England again won the Men's 45+ team with Ireland 2nd and Scotland 3rd. It was going to be close now that England won all of this race's age cat teams.

The success of the English men's teams in the last race proved to be decisive when it came to adding up the combined scores.

England won the overall title with a score of 72 points.

Last years winners Ireland came 2nd with 63 points ahead of Scotlands 62 points with just the narrowest of margins.

However, Ireland's women won the British & Irish women's overall teams.

The day was capped off with a fantastic night of celebration and a top class banquet in Crowne Plaza.

Next year the Home Nations event will be hosted by Northern Ireland. MyRunResults would like to thank Scotland for the great hospitality and taking us on board to look after their timing needs. It was a privilege to be asked to be there and offer our services.

RESULTS

RACE STATS

OVER 65+ START VIDEO

MEN'S 65+ LAP 1

WOMEN'S OVER 35+ START

WOMEN'S 35+ LAP 1

WOMEN'S 35+ FINISHERS

MENS 50 + LAP 1

MEN'S 50 TO 64 FINISHERS

MENS 35+ LAP 1

MENS 35+ FINISH ACTION

Events Calendar

Back to: British and Irish Masters XC International 2023 - Glasgow

Laurence JOHNSTON