All Ireland XC Championships are the highlight of a busy weekend of running:
This weekend, runners in Northern Ireland have an excellent choice of races, covering a variety of distances and terrain.
The biggest event of the weekend, the All Ireland Masters, Intermediate and Juvenile Cross Country Championships (hosted by Athletics Ireland) will be held in Gransha Park, Derry/Londonderry on Sunday 3rd February 2013, but before that; Saturday 2nd February 2013 brings a busy day of racing with some tempting choices for those who are undecided on whether to race or not.
East Down AC will host their aptly named annual ‘Rollercoaster Races’ at Downpatrick Race course; the family orientated day offers events for all ages, and this year even includes a cycle race. Undoubtedly the highlight of the day will be the ‘adults’ 5k race which will cover just over two laps of the undulating course.
In this, we expect to see St Peters AC’s brilliant Patricia O’Hagan make a welcome return to racing after recovering from illness. After winning last year, Patricia will be hoping to retain her title and will start as favourite to do so. However, previous podium finishers at the event; Jessica Craig and Julie Balmer, both of North Down AC will put up a strong challenge and should join Patricia at the head of the field.
Lagan Valley AC’s Elaine Burch, who came second in last weekends IAAF Junior Women’s race at the NI & Ulster Cross Country Championships could also play a prominent part in proceedings. Elaine’s club mate Ruth Magill will be a category winner, while local lady Cheryl Denvir (East Down AC) will hope for a top ten finish.
In the men’s event, another hero from last weekends Cross Country Championships, newly crowned NI & Ulster Junior XC Champion and local man Brendan Teer (East Down AC) could make an appearance if he manages to shake off a niggling knee injury. Liam Venney (East Down AC) will enjoy the difficult course, and will place well if he decides to race. Other likely contenders for a podium finish will be David McNeilly (Newcastle AC), Neil McCartan (East Down AC), Luke McMullan (Newcastle AC) and Danny Skiffington (East Down AC). Gary Keenan (Orangegrove AC), Greg McClure (North Belfast Harriers), PJ McCrickard (Newcastle AC) and Thomas Leitch (Orangegrove AC) will finish well up the field.
In Gosford Forest Park, Markethill; Born 2 Run events will welcome competitors to their rescheduled ‘Run Forest Run 10k’ trail race. Having been cancelled two weeks ago because of the risk to people travelling to the event in the snowy conditions, it is likely that most of those who had originally pre-entered will take this opportunity to participate.
Despite entries spanning the length and breadth of the UK, North Belfast Harriers’ Adam Boyd will be the man to beat. Having shown true grit to succeed in last Saturday’s Cross Country dual with Gerard Gallagher (Finn Valley AC) he will be high in confidence. Experienced mountain runner, Paul McAnespie (Armagh AC) will be Adam’s mean challenger should he make use of the locality of the race. Colin Pascoe (Newcastle AC), Gerard McNamara (North Belfast Harriers), Gary Connolly (Seapark AC) and Sean Coleman (Newry City Runners) should all place well.
In the ladies race, Karen Alexander (Sperrin Harriers) will dictate the pace. This will leave Virginia Ervine (Mourne Runners), Anne Sandford (Lagan Valley AC), Tara Malone (Enniskillen Running Club), Ciara Coffey (Unattached) and Gillian Cordner (Seapark AC) to battle it out for second and third place.
Meanwhile, at Stormont Estate in Belfast, the 26extreme Winter Trail Series will recommence. Last time the series visited parliament buildings it was North Belfast Harriers’ Martin Rea who stole the headlines. Should he return to attempt an impressive double, he will prove hard to beat.
Regular followers of the 26extreme brand; Seamus Lynch (Unattached), Billy Reed (East Antrim Harriers), Stuart Paulin (Unattached), Chris Collins (East Antrim Harriers) and Lochlainn Connolly (Armagh AC) all have the pedigree to achieve a high placing.
Kerry Speers (North Down CC), an impressive winner throughout the series so far, will run well. She will more than likely come up against experienced Northern Ireland mountain runner Shileen O’Kane (Lagan Valley AC) and the likes of Joanne Curran (BARF), Teresa Fearon (Unattached) and Kathryn Gracey (Unattached).
Also on Saturday 2nd February 2013, Sperrin Harriers will once again attempt to progress their Winter League Trail Series after having to cancel the previous event because of extreme weather conditions. The fourth race in the increasingly popular and well organised series will be held in Drum Manor, Cookstown and will measure 10k.
Unbeatable Pius McIntyre (Foyle valley AC), who has won all three of the races so far will be out to continue his outstanding record. Once again, Glenn Donnelly (Sperrin Harriers) will lead the chase, with other likely candidates being Aaron Meharg (Sperrin Harriers), Chris McPeake (City of Derry AC) and Larne AC duo Andy Gregg and Andy Guy. Pierce McCullagh (Foyle Valley AC) and Mark Alexander (Ballymena Runners) should also participate.
Another runner who has started the series well is City of Derry AC’s Anne Paul, having tasted victory twice she will be hungry for more. However, should talented Michelle Sturm (Omagh Harriers) decide to enter on the day, she will put up an extremely strong challenge after picking up a silver medal in the Intermediate category of the NI & Ulster XC Championships in Lurgan last week. Omagh Harriers trio; Caroline Miller, Rosaleen McCartan and Patricia Campbell will also hope to add to their overall series points. All three should play a prominent part, as will Cheryl Caldwell (Sperrin Harriers).
On Sunday 3rd February 2013, Athletics Ireland will host the Woodie’s DIY sponsored (AAI) All Ireland Masters/Intermediate and Juvenile Cross Country Championships in Gransha Park, Derry/Londonderry.
Although there are Juvenile and Intermediate races on the day, which could include talent such as Clodagh O’Reilly (Annalee AC), Yasmin Wilson (Unattached), Sara Moore (Omagh Harriers), Catherine Whoriskey (City of Derry AC), Fionnuala Diver (Letterkenny AC), Scott Rankin (Foyle Valley AC), Noel Logan (City of Derry AC), Chris McGuiness (Foyle Valley AC) and Ryan Holt (Willowfield Harriers) the main focus of the event appears to be on the competitive Masters Championships.
In the Male Master’s 7k race, newly crowned NI & Ulster Masters XC Champion David Morwood (Annadale Striders AC) will come up against last years ‘All Ireland’ Champion Ciaran Doherty (Letterkenny AC). Another of the contenders will be the in-form Declan Reed (City of Derry AC), who finished fourth in the Raheny 5 last week and also won the North West XC on the same ground in December 2012.
Ever impressive Stephen Duncan (Omagh Harriers) will also lead the Northern Ireland medal charge, while Keith Shiels (Foyle Valley AC), Donal Gallagher (Sperrin Harriers), Alan O’Hara (North Belfast Harriers), Paul Carroll (Annadale Striders), Francis Marsh (North Down AC) and Deon McNeilly (Newcastle AC) will provide back up should the aforementioned men falter. Mick Traynor (Raheny Shamrock AC) and Peter Matthews (DSD AC) have also been touted as potential challengers from the south.
In the Female Master’s 4k event; Stephanie Hambling (North Down AC), Julie Butler (Omagh Harriers), Jackie McGinley (City of Derry AC), Hannah Shields (City of Derry AC) and Helen Stockdale (Clones AC) will be up against strong southern based runners; Pauline Curley (Tullamore Harriers), Annette Kealy (Raheny Shamrock AC) and Jean Wilson (Sportsworld AC).
Mary Mackin (Dromore AC) and Bridget Quinn (Ballymena Runners) should also race, and will compete well in their relevant categories while Chritsy McGonagle (City of Derry AC) and North Down AC duo Brian Smith and David Seaton will finish will up in the Male Master’s Vet65+ race.
Also this weekend, the Active Belfast Cross Country series will continue on Saturday 2nd February 2103, with Orangefield (Belfast) being the venue of choice on this occasion. Northern Ireland’s seven ‘parkrun’ events will also take place as usual, for more information on these, or to locate your nearest event, please visit our dedicated ‘parkrun’ section within our fixtures page.
*Important Notice* There may be a delay with race summaries and results this weekend, as our internet connection (and signal) will be inconsistent. We apologise in advance but will do our best to upload any information as quickly as possible.
Athletics NI host Northern Ireland & Ulster Junior and Masters XC:
On Saturday 26th January 2012, cross country enthusiasts from all over Northern Ireland and Ulster will descend on Lurgan Park, Lurgan for the prestigious Northern Ireland & Ulster Junior and Masters Cross Country Championships.
The entry criteria means that any athlete who has won the NI Junior XC Championships, UAC Intermediate XC Championships, AAI Intermediate XC Championships as an individual or part of the winning team; or has been placed 1st or 2nd as an individual or part of a team in the NI Senior XC Championships, UAC Senior XC Championships or the AAI Senior XC Championships cannot participate in the ‘Intermediate’ Women’s or ‘Junior/Intermediate’ Men’s races.
The exciting race programme will kick off with the Male Masters (Vet35+) 8km race; Dave Morwood (Annadale Striders) will more than likely head the field. However, he will be willingly chased by his club mate Paul Carroll along with; Iain Taggart (Ballymena Runners), Deon Mc Neilly (Newcastle AC), Neil Carty (North Belfast Harriers), Francis Marsh (North Down AC) and Pauric McKinney (Inishowen AC).
Dromore AC’s Nigel McKibbin will run with confidence after his excellent performance in Antrim a few weeks ago, but he’ll need to show the same strength to stave off competition from Craig Hutchinson (Larne AC), Kieran Carlin (Finn Valley AC) and Dale Mathers (Newry City Runners). Meanwhile, John McCambridge (St Peter’s AC) will run well on ‘home turf’.
The IAAF Junior Women/Intermediate Women/Master Women and Male Masters Vet60+ will all race together over a 4km course. The shorter distance will assure a speedy race, which will suit Rachel Gibson (North Down AC), Michelle Sturm (Omagh Harriers) and last week’s Ulster XC team members; Yasmin Wilson (Unattached), Eva Laverty (Lagan Valley AC) and Sara Moore (Omagh Harriers).
Gillian Wasson (Springwell Running Club), Emma Laverty (Lagan Valley AC), Catriona McGloin (Unattached) and Stephanie Hambling (North Down AC) will also feature strongly, while Julie Butler (Omagh Harriers), Julie Murphy (Lagan Valley AC), Geraldine Branagh (Dromore AC) and Shileen O’Kane (Lagan Valley AC) will finish well up in their categories.
In the Junior and Intermediate Men’s 10km event, Foyle Valley duo Scott Rankin and Keith Shiels will be joined at the front by the likes of Liam Venney (East Down AC), Ryan Holt (Willowfield Harriers), James Speight (Finn Valley AC), Brendan Teer (East Down AC), Ryan McDermott (Annadale Striders), and Andrew Hicks (Dromore AC).
In truth, recent form suggests that any of the above could win. However, nothing can be taken for granted with talented runners such as Michael Dyer (North Down AC), Adam Boyd (North Belfast Harriers), Andrew Considine (North Belfast Harriers), David McNeilly (Newcastle AC), Conan McCaughey (Enniskillen Running Club) and Luke McMullan (Newcastle AC) all set to compete. Impressive young Springwell Running Club athlete Neil Johnston will perform well, while Newcastle AC’s strong running David O’Flaherty will make a welcome return from injury.
Despite the huge amount of individual talent in each of the races, team ‘packing’ will be vital for any club hoping to achieve a podium finish. Lagan Valley AC look particularly strong in all three of the Ladies races (Junior Women, Intermediate Women and Masters Women), although Omagh Harriers and Finn Valley AC could throw up a few surprises.
Foyle Valley AC look incredibly strong in the Men’s Junior/Intermediate race, but the strength in depth of North Belfast Harriers can never be under estimated. Newcastle AC and Larne AC will also field strong teams. In the Men’s Masters category, Ballymena Runners look good; as do North Belfast Harriers and North Down AC.
Athletics Ireland Indoor Open Games:
On Sunday 27th January 2013, Newcastle
AC’s Kerry Harty will be in action once again.
Following her outstanding 4:19.00 1500m season opener in Glasgow last
weekend, Kerry will be competing over 1500m at the Athletics Ireland Open
Indoor Games at the newly opened Indoor Stadium in Athlone, Ireland.
Also on Sunday 27th January 2013, a large contingent from Northern Ireland are expected to travel south for the popular 'Raheny 5'. The event, organised by Raheny Shamrock AC boasts a flat, fast course and has always attracted Northern Ireland's top runners with Annadale Striders, City of Derry AC and East Antrim Harriers always well represented. A large crowd from Sperrin Harriers are also set to participate this year.
Also this weekend: Northern Ireland’s seven ‘parkun’ events will take place as normal. Please visit our dedicated ‘parkrun’ section within the fixtures page to locate your nearest event.
IAAF International Cross Country, Antrim 2013:
On Saturday 12th January 2013, athletes from all over the world will descend on CAFRE Greenmount Campus, Antrim for the 36th IAAF Antrim International Cross Country.
The top quality entrants will include reigning double European Cross Country Champion, Fionnuala Britton (Kilcoole AC/Ireland), decorated GB runner Andy Vernon (Aldershot, Farnham & District AC/Great Britain), former Commonwealth bronze medallist Joesph Birech (Kenya) and American Scott Bauhs (USA) who last year clocked 1:01:30 for 13.1 miles.
The exciting timetable of events will kick off at 11am with a host of age category races, during which; Aidan Mc Cluskey (Mid Ulster AC), Caolin Quinn (East Down AC), Emma Hutchinson (Ballyclare HS), Clodagh Laverty (City of Derry AC), Ellie Mc Broom (Springwell Running Club) and Adam Mc Kibbin (Dromore AC) will hope to impress.
As the age categories rise, so will the pace; in the Under 15’s race, Louis Hagan (Willowfield Harriers), Conall Kirk (Lagan Valley AC) and Ryan Sharkey (Lagan Valley AC) will feature. While in the Under 17 races, some of Northern Ireland’s top prospects will be on show, with Paddy Robb (St Malachy’s AC), Jack Mc Kibbin (Dromore AC), Patrick Sheridan (Newcastle AC), Conal Mc Cambridge (North Belfast Harriers), Yasmin Wilson (Unattached), Dearbhla Magee (Newcastle AC) and Emma Laverty (Lagan Valley AC) all due to compete.
In the IAAF (Under 20) Junior Men’s event, local lads Christie Conor (Springwell Running Club), Maxi Walmsley Pledl (Armagh City AC) and Conor Doherty (City of Derry AC) will face stiff opposition in the form of English athletes William Poulson (Stroud AC) and U-17 British 1500m record holder Matthew Shirling (Liverpool Harriers).
Donal Gallagher (Sperrin Harriers), Craig Hutchinson (Larne AC), Nigel Mc Kibbin (Dromore AC), Nat Glenn (Larne AC) and James Turtle (Ballymena Runners) will lead the charge in the Male Masters (Vet +40) 5600m race, while Irwin Speirs (Sperrin Harriers), Paul Elliot (North Belfast Harriers) and Noel Connor (Ballymena Runners) should finish well up in their categories. Athletes can still enter this race on the day, this may encourage the likes of Deon Mc Neilly (Newcastle AC) to enter after having had enjoyed a podium place at last years Master Cross Country Championships.
In the much anticipated Ladies International/NI & Ulster Senior Ladies XC Championship/Ladies Masters (Vet +40) 5600m race, Ireland’s leading lady, Fionnuala Britton will hope to defend her Greenmount title from last year. To do that, Fionnuala will have to see off the challenge of Kenyan duo Magdalene Masai and Eunice Kales and young Great Britain member Jessica Coulson (Stockport AC) who made a strong challenge at last weekend’s ‘Great Edinburgh Cross Country’ only to tire towards the end.
Linda Byrne’s (DSD/Ireland) amazing achievements of late have almost been overshadowed by her brilliant team mates success, but Linda has produced some magical performances. She represented Ireland at London 2012 (Olympic Marathon) and recently at the European XC Championships in Budapest where she helped Ireland’s ladies to a historic European Championship gold medal. Linda’s 6th place finish on the heels of the world famous Ana Dulce Felix (Portugal) in Edinburgh last week shows the athlete she has become. Other top contenders will be Olympian Freya Murray-Ross (Chester Le’ Street/Scotland), Steph Twell (Aldershot, Farnham & District AC) and Louis Damon (Winchester AC/England)
The eligible Northern Ireland ladies in the race will battle it out for the prestigious NI Senior Cross Country title, the brilliant Gladys Ganiel O’Neill (North Belfast Harriers/N. Ireland) will be considered pre-race favourite with Breege Connolly (North Belfast Harriers) also viewed as a worthy candidate.
Patricia O’Hagan (St Peter’s AC/N. Ireland) and Jessica Craig (North Down AC/N. Ireland) have both had an exceptional Cross Country season and will be eager to impress while wearing the Northern Ireland vest.
Claire Connor (North Belfast Harriers/N. Ireland) will also perform well, as will Rachel Gibson (North Down AC), Judi Graham (North Belfast Harriers), Katherine Whoriskey (City of Derry AC), Danielle Fegan (Armagh City AC) and Julie Balmer (North Down AC). Fionnuala Diver (Letterkenny AC) will also feature prominently in the race, while Helen Stockdale (Clones AC), Stephanie Hambling (North Down AC), Hannah Shields (City of Derry AC) and Anne Paul (City of Derry AC) will prove hard to beat in their respective categories. The team title will go down to the wire, with North Belfast Harriers and North Down AC certain to battle it out until the finish.
The final race of the programme, the Men’s International/NI & Ulster Senior Men’s Championship 10,800m race will feature practically all of Northern Ireland’s top athletes, alongside American Scott Bauhs, Kenyan’s David Bett, Joesph Birech and Bernard Rotich, as well as Great Britain’s Andy Vernon (Aldershot, Farnham & District AC), Matthew Bowser (Licoln Wellington AC) and Frank Tickner (Kent AC).
This fine mix of athletes makes for an excellent race but creates havoc when trying to identify a potential winner; Bernard Rotich finished in 3rd place last year and should be at the front again, but his fellow countrymen Joesph Birech and David Bett will be hard to shake off. Former Commonwealth Games medallist Birech beat Rotich twice last year while 20 year old Bett has proven quality, with a current 5km personal best of 13:06. On the other hand, American Scott Bauhs is another talented endurance runner, he recorded and amazing 1:01:30 at last years Houston Marathon (USA).
Andy Vernon will be there or there abouts, while former English Cross Country Champion Frank Tickner could raise a few eyebrows. Sergiu Ciobanu (Clonliffe Harriers) will produce his usual gritty performance and will hope to finish well up the field.
The Northern Ireland men will be chasing the NI Senior Cross Country title, with the likes of Stephen Scullion (North Belfast Harriers/N. Ireland), Eddie Mc Ginley (Annadale Striders/N. Ireland), Joe Mc Alister (St Malachy’s AC/N. Ireland), Kevin Seaward (St Malachy’s AC/N. Ireland), Paddy Hamilton (Annadale Striders) and Paul Pollock (Annadale Striders) all likely to be in contention.
Annadale Striders’ Andrew Agnew, Owen Carelton, Dave Morwood and Ryan Mc Dermott (also running for N. Ireland) will all place well, as will Declan Reed (City of Derry AC), Emmett Mc Ginty (City of Derry AC), Connor Magill (North Belfast Harriers), Brendan Teer (East Down AC), Alan O’Hara (North Belfast Harriers), Ryan Holt (Willowfield Harriers), Jarleth Falls (Ballymena & Antrim AC), Scott Rankin (Foyle Valley AC) and Liam Venney (East Down AC).
Michael Dyer (North Down AC), Steve Cairns (Annadale Striders), Noel Logan (City of Derry AC), Conor Curran (North Belfast Harriers) and Keith Shiels (Foyle Valley AC), John Frazer (St Malachy’s AC) will also hope to achieve a decent placing.
Like the ladies title, the men’s team prize will be a hugely competitive, with Annadale Striders likely to edge out the strong St Malachy’s AC, City of Derry AC and North Belfast Harriers teams. This will in-turn leave the aforementioned three to battle for the final podium places.
Also this weekend: Northern Ireland’s seven ‘parkun’ events will take place as normal. Please visit our dedicated ‘parkrun’ section within the fixtures page to locate your nearest event.
Northern Ireland Running app now available:
Today, Wednesday 9th January 2013 NiRunning launch their new mobile phone application. Designed by John Black, the app will provisionally be geared towards allowing users quick and easy access to running fixtures in Northern Ireland.
Within this, users will have the option of finding out more about the race as well as getting directions to the event using our inbuilt Google maps function. In time, with your feedback and ideas; NiRunning and John would like to develop the app and increase the content. So, why not download the app from the iTunes store by searching ’NiRunning’ and let us know what you think!
We have set up a special section within our website ‘forum’ were you can provide feedback/ideas and ask John any relevant questions. As always, thank you for your support! (Note - Minimum phone specification is iPhone 3GS)
Entries set to re-open for unique 'City of Culture' event:
Great news for any runners out there who thought the gate was firmly shut with regard to entring the 'Walled City Marathon'. Despite reaching the original entry target last week, the significant ongoing demand has persuaded the event organisers to offer a small number of additional places for the eagerly anticipated City of Culture event.
Limited additional entries will now be accepted on a first come first served basis, from Tuesday 8th January at 10am via the following options online www.athleticsni.org or at Foyle Hospice, 61 Culmore Road, BT48 8JE.
This limited entry window will definitely close at 4pm Friday 11th January. There will be no further opportunities to sign up for the Walled City Marathon. This is the last chance saloon don’t delay get online or call down to Foyle Hospice!
Young athletes brave the cold for Race 4 in the McGrady Financial XC Series:
On Sunday 6th January 2013, race four of the ‘McGrady Financial Junior Cross Country’ series took place at Delamont Country Park, County Down. In cold and windy conditions race officials marked and then re-marked the ‘lapped’ course while the crowds debated as to what way the weather would treat the gutsy crew of young athletes.
With a strong head wind and an undulating course, it would prove to be a stern test for all who took part, especially Jerome Mc Crickard (Newcastle AC)! Even though he is some thirty-something years too old to officially take part, he led the majority of the younger age group races around the course to ensure no one wandered astray!
As the whistle sounded, the P4 (and under) 500m race got under way at a sharp pace. A close battle insued before Michael Murdock (Burren AC) secured the win, crossing the line in 2:29. Things were not as close in the girls race, with Newcastle AC’s Amy McCrickard (2:59) storming clear to seal an impressive victory.
Next up was the P5 800m race, with Burren AC dominating proceedings. Burren AC’s Thomas Mc Keaveney (3:11) beat club mate Calum Mc Donagh by only a few hundredths of a second to claim 1st place. In the girls event, young Burren AC athlete Izzy Farrell (3:32) led from start to finish to complete a fantastic double for the club.
The P6 1000m race turned out to be just as close as the P5 race, but after a hard fought battle it was Danny Williamson (Newcastle AC) who celebrated victory in 4:09. East Down AC’s Libby Maloney (4:19) secured the clubs first win of the day, after running a brilliant race. After watching his club mate provide East Down AC’s first win, Caolin Quinn set a fast pace in the P7 1000m race and held on well, taking 1st place in 4:00. Niamh Scullion (4:29) edged out Burren AC club mate Eve Dunford to claim 1st place in the girls race.
In the Year 8 1700m race, Jack O’Farrell (Burren AC) led from start to finish, securing top spot in 7:14. While in the girls event, in-form Sarah Dougherty (Newcastle AC) showed great speed to notch up another series victory in 8:07. Burren AC’s Peter Fegan surged clear of the field in the Year 9 2300m race, claiming a well-deserved 1st place in 8:37. In the competitive girls race, Olivia Mooney (10:51) took 1st place, edging out friend and club mate Aoife Cochrane by just two seconds.
In the Year 10 3000m race; Paraic Delahunt (Burren AC) ran clear of Newcastle AC’s Daniel Molloy in the final 400m to break the tape in 10:29. In the respective girls race, East Down AC’s Laura Gardiner showed her class. After starting well, Laura built on her lead and went on to seal an outstanding victory, finishing over a minute and a half ahead of her nearest rival.
In
the final event of the day, the Year 11+ 3000m girls only race; Newcastle AC’s talented
Dearbhla Magee warmed up for next weekend’s Antrim International Cross Country
with an excellent performance. She led
from the gun to finish in 1st place, clocking 11:04.
Age Category Winners:
P4 (and Under) 500m Race: Michale Murdock (Burren AC) – 2:29 and Amy McCrickard (Newcastle AC) – 2:59.
P5 800m Race: Thomas Mc Keaveney (Burren AC) – 3:11 and Izzy O’Farrell (Burren AC) – 3:32
P6 1000m Race: Danny Williamson (Newcastle AC) – 4:09 and Libby Maloney (East Down AC) – 4:19
P7 1000m Race: Caoilin Quinn (East Down AC) – 4:00 and Niamh Scullion (Burren AC) – 4:29
Year 8 1700m Race: Jack Mc Farrell (Burren AC) – 7:14 and Sarah Dougherty (Newcastle AC) – 8:07
Year 9 2300m Race: Peter Fegan (Burren AC) – 8:37 and Olivia Mooney (East Down AC) – 10:51
Year 10 3000m Race: Paraic Delahunt (Burren AC) – 10:29 and Laura Gardiner (East Down AC) – 10:42
Year 11+ Girls 3000m Race: Dearbhla Magee (Newcastle AC) – 12:15
Full Results: Mc Grady’s Financial Junior Cross Country 2013 (Delamont Country Park)
Report compiled with the assistance of Newcastle AC. For a more deatailed report, please visit the Newcastle
AC website. The fifth and final race of the series will take place on Saturday 16th February 2013 at Tollymore Forest Park, Newcastle, County Down.
British Fell Running Championship dates/venues announced:
The British Fell Running Championship 2013 venues have recently been announced and the ‘Silent Valley’ Fell Race has been chosen for the Northern Ireland leg of the well supported Championships. The local race, which was also used as part of the 2010 series will kick start this years Championships on Saturday 13th April 2013.
When the course was last used, Andy Symonds, brother of current British Champion Joe Symonds won the race. Andy now lives in France and runs for well-known sports brand and team ‘Salomon’. Joe Symonds (also attached to Salomon Running), Morgan Donnelly, Rob Hope and Robbie Simpson are all expected to be in contention this time round.
Local hopes will lie on the shoulders of Stevie Cunningham (Mourne Runners) who finished in 8th place last time and Jonny Steede (Ballymena Runners). While, in the ladies competition, English International and current British Fell Running Champion Lauron Jeska will prove hard to beat if she travels. Mourne Runners’ former Northern Ireland Fell Running Champion Charlene Haugh was the top Northern Ireland finisher last time but unfortunately she has not featured for some time. So, it will be down to Shileen O’Kane (Lagan Valley AC) to lead the charge.
British Fell
Running Championships:
13th April 2013 - Silent Valley
(Northern Ireland)
2nd June 2013 – Yetholm (Scotland)
27th July 2013 – Blisco Dash Fell
Race (England)
14th Sept 2013 – Peris Horseshoe
(Wales)
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