Confident Fry impresses in Cardiff as Izzy finishes in top three Brits

Newbury Athletic Club’s Izzy Fry took another big step on her road to recovery from a serious foot injury as she finished sixth amongst a high class field in the opening race of the Cross Challenge series in Cardiff.

The 23-year-old suffered a high grade tear in her plantar fascia – the part of the foot that connects the heel bone to the toes – at the Trafford 10k back in March but returned to competitive action when she was crowned the Bobby Rea International Cross Country champion in Northern Ireland last month.

Fry, who has been racing with her Newbury teammates as she works back to full fitness, was the third fastest British athlete in Wales, completing the 6.4km course in 21.37s. She was just eight seconds behind fellow Team GB athlete Jess Judd.

“It was a great confidence booster for me. This winter is all about creating positive momentum so I’m pleased I was able to continue that,” she said.

“It was a tough race but I’m proud of how I executed the plan. I didn’t expect to finish within the top three Brits so that was a nice surprise.”

In July, Fry made the decision to leave Team New Balance in Manchester, moving to the Midlands to work alongside a new team at the state-of-the-art Loughborough University.

Fry, who was victorious at the World University Cross Country Championships last year, is stepping up to senior level as she prepares to take part in the European Cross Country Championships trials. She’ll need to finish in the top six if she’s to qualify for the finals, which are set to be staged in Brussels on December 10.