Report and Photographs from Tom Hunt (Mayo AC)

The first ever Home Countries Cross-Country International took place in Wrexham in 1988, so it was appropriate that the 21st, or coming of age international should be back on Welsh soil. On Saturday 15th November, more than 400 masters athletes from the Five Nations gathered at Singleton Park, Swansea to savour the unique atmosphere of this annual contest. All categories from age 35 upwards competed over a 2k lap course - women ran 6k, men 8k. They were severely tested on one of the toughest stamina sapping courses of recent years. In the undulating picturesque parkland setting, there were muddy hollows, sharp turns, slippery cambered inclines and a cruel uphill finish.

The overall results were dominated by England, both in individual and team medals. However, Ireland had considerable success too in the women's and men's teams and won a number of individual medals. Donna Mahon was the leading Irish woman with a great run to win the prestigious W35 category and Mags Greenan had a great win in W50.

Pam Benson (Fingallians) was in Irish o60 team who were 2nd

Mayo AC were proud to have International participants again for the third consecutive year. Ronnie Naylor from Ballina donned the kit for the first time and despite slipping and falling on the final lap, helped his team to a well earned bronze medal in the M50 category. Tommy Payne (Tinryland), Eugene Moynihan (Marian), Martin McDonald (N. Laois) were the other members of the team.

GCH legend, Martin McEvilly shook off a recent hamstring injury with a fantastic display of gritty running in the difficult conditions. Martin revels in it when the going gets tough. He won the M60 individual category by over a minute, and led the Irish to first place in the M60 team section. Martin was full of praise for his physio who had spent much of the previous two weeks 'digging into my hamstring with a pick-axe handle!' The other team members were Pat Comey (Meath), Liam O'Hare (Dublin) and Tom Hunt (Mayo AC) who added gold to the bronze he won last year as part of the M55 team in Belfast.

In the W60 race,Belmullet native Evelyn McNelis (Naas AC) and Ballymote based Pam Benson (Fingallians) were on the Irish team who won silver in that category.

Representing Ireland in Swansea : Mayo AC's Tom Hunt and Ronnie Naylor

The medal presentation took place at a banquet hosted by Swansea Civic Council at the magnificent Brangwen Hall Afterwards a local band Kismet put on a great show. The 'strictly come runnin' pain of Singleton Park gave way to strictly come danci' the five nations mingled on the dance floor, showing off their best moves, a lot of rock 'n roll, plenty hip-hop, and chubby was left well checkered twistin' the night away. Next year the event moves to the Isle of Man, hosted by England. As usual the trial race for Irish selection is the Gerry Farnan XC in the Phoenix Park - a week before the Dublin Marathon .. plenty of time to get ready to rock!