RUTH Barnes is celebrating her first international vest after being selected to represent England in the Home Countries’ International Masters match in the Cardiff 10k on Sunday, September 11.

The Avon Valley Runner, from Bradford on Avon, earned her first England vest on the back of a series of consistent performances throughout the year, highlights of which include personal bests at 5k (16 minutes 44 seconds) and 10k (34:47), both in Bristol, plus 10 miles (57:35) and the half marathon (79:28 to win Devizes).

“It will be great to wear my first England vest,” said Barnes.

“I have done the Cardiff 10k before so I know the route and know it is a very fast course, so hopefully I can run a good time.”

Barnes revealed that she almost missed out on automatic selection for the match thanks to the vagaries of modern communications.

“It was really odd because everyone who was in contention for the team was sent an email asking to submit their times, so I did just that,” added Barnes.

“I didn’t hear anything back and it was only a week or so later that I found in my spam account an email sent weeks ago, telling me that I had already been pre-selected and that I hadn’t needed to have applied at all because my form was good enough. So that was nice to know.”

At the age of 37 and with just a handful of years as a senior runner behind her, Barnes has stepped up her training since linking up with coach Steve Williams.

“Steve has put a lot of time into coaching me and I feel I have worked really hard, so it is nice to get some sort of recognition for that,” said Barnes.