National inter-counties cross country championships - Saturday 7 March 2026

Three CLC Striders athletes represented their county on Saturday 7 March, racing for Gloucestershire in the annual, season-ending, inter-country cross country championship, held in the beautiful parkland of Wollaton Hall on the outskirts of Nottingham.

Following a week of relatively dry weather, the ground had firmed up after the wettest of winters and so navigating the course, with its sharp ascents and descents around the beautiful Elizabethan Hall, was pacey work.

In her first year competing for Gloucestershire after her move from Surrey, CLC Striders’ Isabel Brinsden continued to show her electric form, finishing first for the county in 25th place overall and 2 minutes ahead of the next county finishers – Alice Tredgett and Grace Knapp.

Patricia Dendy registered as 4th county finisher, just ahead of CLC Striders’ Helen Knight, who was 149th overall, scoring for the county’s A-team for the 8th campionships in a row – a tribute to her incredible consistency. Jane Fairburn was the 6th team scorer, with CLC Striders’ Rachel Vines providing key back-up to the scoring six. The 8th finisher for the county on the day was Milly Foster.

Overall, Gloucestershire were the 12th team out of 32 counties competing, with the three CLC Striders ladies playing a key role in the team’s standing and success.

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