TAVISTOCK Athletic Club's Richard Drage ran for England in the British and Irish Masters' Cross Country International in Nottingham and came home with a team gold medal.

Teams from England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland competed in five year age groups from 35 to 75 years of age.

Richard was selected as part of the four man M55 England team. His selection was as a result of winning the bronze medal in the British Masters' Open Cross Country Championships in Glasgow earlier this year.

The 8k race was held in Wollaton Park in Nottingham. England's Bob Atkinson won the race with Andy Wetherill finishing fourth and Richard running well to finish seventh and third English runner. With three England runners in the top seven, England easily won team gold in the M55 age group. The Republic of Ireland took silver with Scotland taking the bronze.

England also won the match by winning the most age group races in both the men's and ladies' races.

Richard thanks his coach Allan Herdman for helping him achieve his ambition of running for England.