Race Date: Saturday 15th November 2025

Just in time for the annual British and Irish Masters cross country race Storm Claudia swept into Britain. Flights from Dublin and Belfast were cancelled, and the organisers had to get their heads together to rearrange the programme.

Our Striders group, Louise Rowley, Carol Beattie and I got a very early morning email from the team manager delaying the event by an hour so the journey to Leeds was a little more leisurely than planned.

A very wet, windy and spongy course unfolded on the high ground above the city. We looked for shelter from the elements but apart from the small gazebos for each of the 5 national team managers and staff there was none. It was important to try and keep warm if not dry so the recce of the course and warm up started early. Louise Rowley in her first cross country international and I joined our W70 team and, along with the older women and men from the five nations were relieved to finally get under way at around midday.

The first race was male and female MV/FV 65+. The course comprised of 3x2k undulating laps with one significant climb and descent. By the third lap we’d chewed up the grass and wet leaves and were beginning to slither and slide on the mud. Outstanding Irish W70 athlete Christine Kennedy and her teammate shot ahead from the start. I decided to take the first part of the race steadily and build for a strong finish keeping as close to Sue Haslam for England as I could. Sue, a fell runner, used the hills to great effect and finished strongly but she and the two Irish athletes had beaten me into fourth place.

After a lot of administrative errors W70 England team were awarded team gold with Ireland as runners up.

Louise’s report:

Roundhay Park was my first Cross Country International and I was very pleased to be there with Dot as she knows the ropes and all the competitors. It was hardly a baptism of fire given the very wet conditions, but it really did feel like a true cross-country challenge. At first glance the park looked quite benign, but it concealed a hill that required a fair bit of concentration particularly on the descent and the field was very competitive. Ireland has a very strong cross-country team. There were not a lot of spectators but those present cheered everyone along regardless of the nation we were representing. I really appreciated that. In fact, it probably says a lot about the day, all the competitors pleased to see each other despite keen rivalry; volunteers who had had to adjust to a changing timetable and miserable conditions for being outdoors all day. Despite the weather the park was a stunning location as are so many XC venues and the camaraderie is something very particular.

The male race winners was Ifan lloyd of Wales in 25.34. The female race winner was Monica Williamson of England in 29.33

England won the Championship with 80 points, beating Ireland on 65 points. Scotland was 3rd with 55 points, Wales 34 and Northern Ireland 26. In case anyone wonders whether their performance can make a difference, England women beat Ireland by one point, 37 to 36. We all played our part in that.

Full results can be found: here

Our thanks go to John Rothwell, VH coach who inspires us to give our all in these events. Also, the Frances Robinson, team support, bag holder and cheer leader and to Donovan Blake, Strength and Conditioning coach.

Striders Results: