HORWICH RMI Harrier Karen Smout has been called up to run for Wales in the Fell Running Home International at Knockdhu, Northern Ireland on April 30.

She took an automatic selection place by being the second Welsh lady in the trial event, the four-mile Moel Wnion Fell Race, which included 1,600ft of ascent earlier this month.

A relative newcomer to running, Karen has made tremendous progress over the last 12 months and fully deserves her Welsh vest.

Karen is delighted with the selection and particularly thrilled as she had not expected to reach such a high level, one of her main goals, for some time.

Karen has already achieved a county vest this year in cross country when running for Wales East at the Inter Counties held at Nottingham on March 5.

Angela Allen had a great run in the British Masters Open Cross Country Championships at Castle Park, Bangor, Northern Ireland.

Having just recovered from a long term injury, and with only a couple of races under her belt, she ran brilliantly to take bronze medal in the over-35s age group.

This was against the best in Great Britain so it was an excellent result.

Her time of 19mins 50secs was only 32 seconds behind the winner, K. Ramsey from Charnwood.

Clare McKenna has been running exceptionally well, recently picking up a bronze team medal at the Northern Cross Country Championships at Consett in January and at the six-mile Screentone Tina Horn Memorial Windmill Whizz Race, which included 800ft of ascent.

She won the race in 47mins 4secs. On the strength of these performances she has been asked to run for Greater Manchester County at the Inter Counties Fell Race at Wrekin in Telford on April 10.

Colin Rigby continues to run well, finishing 10th in last Sunday's Wilmslow Half Marathon in a time of 1hr 10mins 52secs, just one second off his half marathon personal best set at last year's race. This was a terrific performance as Colin is in a period of intense training in his preparations for the London Marathon on April 17.