Two of Cornwall’s top endurance runners, Emma Stepto (Cornwall AC) and Tony Brewer (Mile High, Penryn), were on international duty last weekend, competing for England in the British and Irish Masters Cross Country International held in Gransha Park, Derry, Northern Ireland.

Despite both runners nursing recent injuries, they produced scintillating performances, with Stepto finishing second in the six kilometre 45-49 age group race and Brewer thirteenth in the eight kilometre 35-39 age group race. 

Stepto just missed out on the individual title, finishing an agonising two seconds behind her England team mate Michelle Clarke (Telford AC), with Julie Dixon (Bideford AAC) eight seconds behind the Cornish runner.  A strong England quartet were comfortable winners of the team competition.

Brewer, whose injury meant he had been unable to train for the three weeks prior to the race, was pleased with his performance, crossing the line as the third England runner home and helping England to the bronze medals in the team event, behind a powerful Ireland squad, with Northern Ireland second.

This was Stepto’s third England Masters vest, having won the 40-44 individual title in Dublin seven years ago and finishing fourth in Glasgow one year later.  Brewer’s performance will surely boost his confidence and wet his appetite for further international honours in the future