Adele Walsh ran the race of her life to take the silver medal at the All Ireland Intermediate cross country championship in Carrignavar, Co Cork on February 12th. In a field that had all the top runners in action, she showed total commitment and went with the leaders from the gun. Over the tough hilly course the hard miles of training, hill sessions and speedwork paid off as she made her way to the front and by the half way mark was in line for a medal. Over the last lap she upped the pace again to move into second place and was closing on the leader Fiona Mahon all the way to the line. At the finish the winner had just 10 seconds to spare, with Adele well clear in second place and Tracy Roche in third. This was a huge step up in class for Adele and shows the tremendous strides she has made over the last six months. It is also an example to all other aspiring athletes, that hard work and consistency in training pays off on race day. She now heads into the St Abban’s Four County League series full of confidence and will be a strong challenger for the overall ladies title. It’s been a great cross country season for Adele, with another senior county title, a great run in both National Novice and Leinster Senior races and now an All Ireland Intermediate silver. It’s a great result and one that’s made a lot of old men happy.