Siblings do region proud in Wicklow

IT was certainly a family affair as far as the region was concerned when England’s junior fell runners took part in the Home Countries International in County Wicklow, Ireland.

Morpeth brother and sister Robyn and Rowan Bennett and Middlesbrough duo Beth and Ben Bergstrand were part of the England squads taking part in Glendalough and it was Ben Bergstrand who claimed the bragging rights for the North East by finishing a close second in the under-20 race behind England team-mate Matthew Merrick, 10 seconds separating the pair at the line over the 6.75k course with a 338m climb.

The under-20 women’s contest was over the same course and Robyn Bennett, a regular fell running international, helped England to team victory by finishing sixth overall and third counter.

The under-17 races were over a distance of 4.7k with a 234m climb with victory going to Scotland’s Sunny McGrath in the boys contest as Rowan Bennett claimed 22nd place.

It was a Wales victory in the under-17 girls event with Sarnia Jones winning comfortably as Beth Bergstrand, one of the youngest in the England team, crossed the line in 15th position.

England, who won two of the team races, lost out to Scotland in the chase for the overall City of Edinburgh Cup though England team leader, Duncan Richards, was still pleased with the outcome saying: “Many of the youngsters were having their first taste of international competition and hopefully this experience will motivate the athletes to achieve further international success in the future.”