Newbury Weekly News

Izzy’s delight at Dublin result

21-year-old is first British finisher in U23 women’s race

- By LIAM HEADD liam.headd@newburynew­s.co.uk @liamh_nwn

IZZY Fry secured a team bronze medal at the European Cross Country Championsh­ips in Dublin after competing in the Under-23 women’s race.

The 21-year-old finished in ninth place overall, but was the first Great Britain athlete across the finish line in Ireland.

It caps off what has been a very impressive year for the former Park House pupil and she was delighted with her performanc­e.

She said: “I feel like I executed the race plan to perfection. I don’t think I could have done much more and having the team bronze topped it off.”

It was a great weekend for the Newbury AC member, who praised the whole GB squad for their efforts throughout the championsh­ips.

She said: “It was so inspiring having lots of age groups all together as a GB team because we tend to do well at the cross country championsh­ips.

“It is a great event and the support from Ireland was amazing because we got a bit of support from the Irish and it made it such a spectacula­r atmosphere.”

Fry was able to have friends and family in Ireland cheering her and the team on, something which has been missed throughout the last couple of years because of the coronaviru­s pandemic.

She said: “I had a few people come to support me and it’s always nice to see familiar faces cheering your name around the course.

“At one point it got quite overwhelmi­ng because of the noise and the cheering, but most of the time it lifts you and the adrenaline was something else.”

When asked about being the first British runner across the line, she said: “I was pleased to be the first runner.

“It’s always nice knowing that you’re leading the team in, but everyone did so well.

“Every position counts and even though the first three that count for the medal, four, five and six are all about pushing the other athletes scores back from other teams.

“I am really pleased with everyone’s performanc­es because it was a good day.”

 ?? Picture: Dan Vernon ?? Izzy Fry in action at the Cross Country Championsh­ips in Dublin
Picture: Dan Vernon Izzy Fry in action at the Cross Country Championsh­ips in Dublin

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