HARRIER PETE YOUNG TAKES TEAM GOLD AND INDIVIDUAL BRONZE AT BRITISH AND IRISH CROSS COUNTRY MASTERS

After taking 3rd place in the English Masters Cross Country Championships in Derby, Pete Young gained selection for England in the British & Irish Home International Cross Country staged at Tollcross Park in Glasgow on 11th November. Running a 3-lap loop of 2km in the 6km race, which combined international women and all the men aged 65 and over, Pete was soon into his running keeping a close eye on the other Masters in his 75 to 79 Age Category. After the 1st lap, the Ryde Harrier could see 2 England team mates ahead of him as he worked past younger athletes in the race and into lap 3, he was closing on Mick Casey, who was the second England scorer, but didn’t have quite enough to pass him as Pete recorded 30 min 20sec. With many ages groups competing in one race, the results and presentations took place in the evening at a local hotel. When finalised, Pete was an outstanding 3rd overall in the race to be awarded the bronze medal and, with his two teammates just ahead, his England team easily won the Team Gold. With competition from the best masters from Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Northern Ireland, this was another outstanding performance from Pete. Geoff Watkin of Ryde Harriers said:

“Pete is truly amazing as to his level of commitment to his athletics and deserves everything he has achieved with his many many victories and international races. “I don’t adjust his training from the talented youngsters at Ryde Harriers, and he is at the track without fail every week in every type of condition to put himself through a tough training session. On his long journeys in this country and abroad, he is always supported by Joyce, his partner, who is an important part of our team.”