Marianna Owen, representing England for the first time, enjoyed a fine race at the SIAB Home Countries International in Falkirk. The English athletes faced tough competition on the day, especially from Ireland. Ireland took two of the individual titles with England matching them, but England managed to take all four team titles, including the U15 Junior Girls with Owen receiving a Team Gold Medal.
Marianna Owen (third English athlete from right top) with a Junior Girls Gold Team Medal!
Weather conditions were perfect with the sun shining and little or no wind. The course itself was challenging with steep inclines and a large number of switch backs and right-angled turns. There was also a demanding camber on much of the course which made it tough for athletes to get into a rhythm.
Owen was very excited and a little nervous about representing England for her first International competition, and on race day, she was very surprised to see the course in the bright sunshine with no wind, unusual conditions for Scotland in mid March.
Owens race was first so she had limited time to prepare and familiarise herself with the course. The race went out hard from the start with England not having things all their own way, Scotland Monroe McBrearty prominent throughout. The pace was unrelenting throughout the 3k course, and Owen perhaps feeling the previous weeks race in her legs was unable to break into the leading pack. Owen continued to push hard and finished in 12th overall, matching her 8th place in the English team order, with England's Gabrielle Pinder taking the individual Gold, and Scotland Monroe McBrearty the Silver.
Terrific Run from Marianna Owen for 12th place overall.
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Owen was delighted with her performance competing against the finest athletes from England, Wales, Scotland, & a combined Ireland, “ It was an amazing experience and one I will always remember!” she was also buzzing with the whole International experience “It was an amazing experience to compete for your country, and although the travelling was tiring being in the team hotel surrounded with the best athletes in the country was really fun”.
Brilliant experience for Marianna Owen in her first England camp.
The Junior Girls were victorious in the Team competition, securing Gold with 26 points, with Ireland in 2nd place with 73 points and the host nation Scotland in third place with 102 points.
Team England celebrating a fine Junior Girls Team Gold.
Owen now takes a well earned 10 day break before she competes in the East Midland Trials for the London Mini Marathon in early April, and then into Track season where she will look to make the qualifying standard for her preferred distance of 1500m.
Congratulations on Marianna's first International vest