Athletics Northern Ireland has launched the 34th Antrim IAAF International Cross Country Races, the third meeting in this winter’s McCain UK Cross Challenge series, which again will be held in the picturesque venue of CAFRE, Greenmount Campus in Antrim. It takes place on Saturday 22nd January 2011 and is one of only eleven IAAF permitted cross country races in the world.
The Antrim event is organised by Athletics Northern Ireland and sponsored by Antrim Borough Council. Stephen Scullion (North Belfast Harriers) who was first local finisher home last year helped Councillor Pam Lewis, the Mayor of Antrim launch the event.
An incredible $15,000 is on offer in prize money this year for the senior races- $7500 each according to new IAAF regulations. The Antrim event always attracts top class athletes but with this money up for grabs, the organisers are hoping for a fantastic field from the UK and Ireland as well as further afield.
Three top Ethiopian runners have already been confirmed which includes a contender for the Senior Ladies race, Aheza Kiros a 14:56 performer over 5000 metres.
In the Men’s race Dejen Gebremeskel ran 12:53.56 for 5000 metres in Oregon this summer to rank fourth in the World at the distance while Ali Abdosh clocked 12:56.53 for seventh best in 2009. The same year he also ranked seventh globally in the 10,000 metres with his 27:09.40 mark.
Ireland’s Mary Cullen won this year’s event at Greenmount but is unlikely to compete next month after breaking her collar bone after falling off a bicycle recently. Kenya’s Mike Kigen easily won this year’s men’s event ahead of Britain’s Andy Vernon and Mexican Juan Barrios.
A number of top British and Irish athletes are expected to confirm their entries for the event in the coming weeks.
The event is one of the largest and most popular events in the Northern Ireland athletics sporting calendar with more than 1,000 competitors taking part in 12 races throughout the day from U13 right up to Seniors and Veteran. The UKA Series continues in Cardiff on 16 January 2011, before moving on to Antrim on 22 January and Birmingham – the McCain UK Cross Challenge Final incorporating the IAAF World Cross Country Championships Trials – on 5 March.
Over the decades, some of the best international cross-country competitors from as far afield as the USA, Uganda and Kenya have made the trip to challenge each other at this acclaimed NI fixture and high profile athletes have competed here such as Paula Radcliffe, Paul Tergat, Steve Cram, Steve Ovett, John Tracey, Khalid Skah, Sergey Lebid, Liz McColgan and Brendan Foster to name a few.
Mayor of Antrim, Councillor Pam Lewis comments,
“We are delighted that Athletics Northern Ireland has chosen to return to Antrim for the third year for the Antrim IAAF International Cross Country. CAFRE, Greenmount Campus is an ideal venue for this world class competition, with its central location and ease of access it is ideal for the many competitors who will travel from overseas.”
“Antrim Borough Council is proud to support this prestigious event, which will no doubt contribute significantly to the Borough, attracting visitors from across the UK, Ireland and beyond. We wish Athletics Northern Ireland, CAFRE and the runners every success for January 2011.”
Nick Vermont, Regional CEO McCain Foods (GB) Ltd said:
“We’re thrilled to be bringing the McCain UK Cross Challenge to Antrim. As Principal Partner of UK Athletics and Title Sponsor of the event, McCain is working hard with UKA and Athletics Northern Ireland to encourage people to get active and to provide athletes with the opportunity to compete at a high level on home turf.
The incorporation of the IAAF Cross Country International will provide world class preparation for our athletes ahead of the McCain UK Cross Challenge Finals in Birmingham and IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Portugal to finish off an already very exciting cross country season.”
Full information on the event can be found at www.niathletics.org. For each Senior Race, the organisers will provide a minimum financial awards structure of USD 7,500.
Prize Structure (Senior Races)
1st place $2500
2nd place $1500
3rd place $1250
4th place $1000
5th place $750
6th place $500
Click here for the timetable, to enter online and view the special event rates for the Holiday Inn Express
Pictured at the launch is Mayor of Antrim, Councillor Pam Lewis along with Stephen Scullion, top local finisher in 2010 who is hoping to finish highly in 2011 and clinch some of the $15,000 on offer for the Senior race.