On a very wet day the Home Countries International took place at Stirling with the Celtic Nations Cup and the UKA Cross Challenge races incorporated. Scottish Athletics put on a good event despite the rain and wind and the course soon cutup but the competition was intense throughout the day.
The U20 races were early in the Programme and Scotland got off to a good start in the Women’s event with Megan Keith winning in a time of 26.14, Scottish teammate Cera Gemmell took 2nd, 9 secs down, Oliva Mason for England was next in 3rd, England then placed 5th,6th and 7th with Amelia Samuels MayaTodd-McIntrye and Freya Stapleton filling those spots but it was not enough to prevent Scotland from winning by 7 points to England’s 14.
England hit back straight away with Thomas Keen a clear winner in the U20 Boys, Thomas coming home 1st in 23.38 with England teammate Matthew Stonier 3 secs back and Tomer Tarrango wrapped up the Team race finishing 4th in 23.47. In this race the North of England squad picked up 2nd team and were led home by Josh Dickinson in 3rd with a time of 23.43. The fourth athlete for England, Will Barnicoat had pull out on the morning of the race with chest problems.
There was another England winner in the Senior Women’s event, Kate Avery scoring an 11 sec win over Abbie Donnelly in a time of 29.20, the trio of England runners scoring was completed by Dani Chattenton in 6th place, Dani recording 30.03. In 9th spot came Charlotte Dannett, Charlotte having replaced at late notice Emily Hosker-Thornhill who had dropped out the day before with a foot injury.
The final HCI race of the day saw Kristian Jones of Wales take the Senior Men’s race, Kristian Winning in a time of 25.33, 10 secs in front of Jamie Crowe of Scotland. Third place went England’s Adam Hickey in 25.49, Adam pipping Andrew Butchart by 1 sec. England’s other runners were Ellis Cross 14th and Tom Mortimer 27th while another late standin Rob Warner was 31st. Rob replacing Jack Gray another athlete out with injury. The placings gave Scotland the win while Wales also beat England in the Senior Men’s race.
