From Athletics Northern Ireland Charlotte Purdue continued her current superb running form with another clear win over 5.6K at the Antrim IAAF Cross Country International in a foggy Greenmount Cross Country today.
This gives her a hat trick of victories in the McCain Cross Challenge Series following on from wins in Liverpool and Cardiff.
Charlotte always appeared to be running with ease in the early stages of the race with a large group including Kenyan World Junior bronze medallist Esther Chemtai, Louise Damen, Laura Kinney, Gemma Steel and Stevie Stockton. At the halfway point Purdue, Chemtai and Damon had opened a 50m gap on the field.
Thereafter the European Junior Champion applied further pressure and at the line had a 30m victory over Damen who narrowly edged out Chemtai.
Charlotte said she was pleased with her run and felt she was in control over the last lap. When asked about her hectic racing schedule she said "I love racing and would carry on so long as I remain healthy and injury free".
She will continue to cover both cross country and track. Coming races include the Inter-counties and World Cross Country.
Top Northern Ireland finisher was Gladys Ganiel O’Neill who had a stormer of a race finishing in 10th place overall. She said "I had a good run, probably the best since the London Marathon last April so I’m very pleased with it. It probably ranks up there with my best cross country performances ever. Gladys will compete in the London Marathon once again this year in April.
In the Men’s 9K event, British number two Andy Vernon had something of a baptism of fire. He faced six Africans which included last year’s winner Mike Kigen and current World Junior 10,000m champion Denis Masai and sub 13 minute 5000m runners Titus Mbishei and Jacob Cheshari.
While Vernon finished in 7th he said “I am pleased with my performance as the competition was very good. I have now overcome the disappointment of dropping out in Albuferia and I will be racing in the European Clubs Cup in Italy in two weeks followed by the World Cross Trials".
Annadale’s Eddie McGinley was top NI finisher taking 15th place in a very competitive field. "I’m pleased with the way I ran, obviously the competition was red hot with the Kenyans and top British runners. My plan was always to be in the top Irish and local finishers and I did that so I’ve got to be pleased.
It is a pleasure to be able to line up with World class athletes here in Antrim and appreciate how good they are!"
In the Junior IAAF Women’s race, Aldershot athlete Louise Small had a massive 75 seconds victory over North Laois athlete Mary Mulhare. “It was slightly easier here today than Cardiff where she only won by 6 seconds. The underfoot conditions were icy and I thought that my spikes were possibly too long for the conditions.
The Men’s U20 race was won by Ferrybank’s Shane Quinn followed by Lachlan Oates of Shettleston Harriers with Harvey Dixon of Aldershot in third. Quinn found the course tough on the feet but says it has all been down to the hard training he has put in along with a little fortune.
Sports Minister, Nelson McCausland, was at the event to see the competition and present prizes to a selection of winning athletes.
The Minister said: “This event is one of the largest and most popular occasions in the Northern Ireland sporting calendar, with up to 1,000 athletes from across the globe taking part. These races have gone from strength to strength since they started in 1977. We have previously welcomed world and Olympic champions, including Steve Cram, Steve Ovett and Paula Radcliffe, as well as a host of world-class Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes.
“Today, I have seen an impressive array of running talent and I applaud all those taking part for their skill, determination and dedication to their sport. I also congratulate Athletics Northern Ireland for organising a first-class event.”
Full results and photos (to follow) on www.niathletics.org
Jenni Robinson gives us a humerous photo step by step guide to set up for the Antrim IAAF XC-check out our Facebook- https://on.fb.me/97gpXU
BBC TV interviews and report
U13 Girls
1. Bethaney Donnelly (East Chesire)
2. Kirstin Oakley (Ayr Seaforth)
3. Emer Fitzpatrick (DSD AC)
4. Rebekah Nixon (Dromore AC)
5. Laoghaise Gleeson (DSD AC)
U13 Boys:
1. Lewis Byram (Holmfirth Harriers)
2. Luke Dinsmore (Springwell RC)
3. Scott McIardie (Kilbarchan AC)
4. Luke McCann (DSD AC)
5. Niall McCarron (St. Peters AC)
U15 Girls:
1. Chloe Cowan (Giffnock North)
2. Ella Fennelly (DSD AC)
3. Yasmin Wilson (Ballyclare High)
4. Emer Magee (Lagan Valley)
5. Gwen Gillham (Kilbarchan)
U15 Boys
1. Euan Gillham (Kilbarchan AC)
2. Callum Matthews (Kilbarchan AC)
3. Jack Crabtree (Oldham & Royton)
4. Ryan Thomson (Ronhill)
5. Conor Christie (Springwell RC)
U17 Girls
1. Rachael Dunn (Edinburgh)
2. Eva Laverty (Lagan Valley)
3. Sarah Lavery (Beechmount Harriers)
4. Eodaoin O’Reilly (Annalee AC)
5. Meghan Ryan (DSD AC)
Junior Women
1. Louise Small (Aldershot)
2. Mary Mulhare (North Laois)
3. Laura Douglas (Ballyclare High)
4. Lorna Fitzpatrick (Beechmount)
5. Amy McDaid (City of Derry)
U17 Boys
1. Grant Muir (Giffnock North)
2. Finlay Rae (Ayr Seaforth)
3. Andrew Monaghan (Lagan Valley)
4. Rhys Spence (Hillingdon AC)
5. Patrick Monaghan (Lagan Valley AC)
Junior Men
1. Shane Quinn (Ferrybank)
2. Lachlan Oates (Shettleston Harriers)
3. Harvey Dixon (Aldershot)
4.Ryan Holt (Willowfield)
5. Carl Dunne (St Josephs)
Senior Womens
1. Charlotte Purdue (Aldershot)
2. Louise Steel
3. Esther Chemtai
4. Sonia Samuels
5. Gemma Steel
10. Gladys Ganiel O’Neill (Abbey AC)
Senior Men
1Mike Kigen 00:26:07
2.Titus Mbishei 00:26:13
3. Jacob Cheshari 00:26:21
4.Dennis Masai 00:26:31
5Moses Kibet 00:26:37
6. Soyekwo Kibet 00:26:49
7. Andy Vernon 00:27:04
8. Michael Skinner 00:27:10
9. Derek Hawkins 00:27:21
10. Bruce Raeside 00:27:22