from N.I Athletics European Indoor bronze medallist Mary Cullen will join European team cross country gold medallist Ana Dulce Felix in the high quality line up for this Saturday’s Antrim International Cross Country at the Greenmount Campus, Antrim (first international event at 13.40pm). This IAAF event is organised and promoted by Athletics Northern Ireland and sponsored by Antrim Borough Council and McCain.
The Women’s 5.6K event is shaping up as a battle featuring some of this season’s international and Irish cross country stars. Sligo’s Cullen is determined to make amends for her disappointing 12th place finish in last month’s SPAR European Cross Country Championships before a home crowd at Santry in Dublin. This run was particularly frustrating as her previous form clearly showed her medal potential. This included a fourth place in the Europeans in Brussels, an Irish Indoors 3000m record of 8.43.74 in Boston and a bronze medal in the European Indoors in Turin.
In the Antrim event, Mary will be targeting both new European Champion Yelling and Felix. With a clear view to improving on her previous best win in the North of 4th place at Stormont 4 years ago.
She does however need to keep a wary eye on Irish team mates Fionnuala Britton and Deidre Byrne. Olympic steeplechaser Britton was first Irish finisher in Dublin just ahead of Cullen. Byrne, like Cullen will have something to prove at Antrim following a nightmarish run at Santry. Deidre could however be a serious threat on Saturday as her gutsy finish last year took her to within one second of winner Stephanie Twell. She was also third two years ago behind Yelling. Her speed is not in doubt as shown by her AAA Indoors 3000m victory a year ago.
Portuguese star Ana Dulce Felix was a member of her country’s all conquering team at Santry. Her 6th place helped to ensure a commanding 26 points victory over GB & NI. 2009 was a memorable year for the 27 year old when she recorded no less than 10 PBs over a range of distances. She was also an impressive 15th in the World Cross Country in Amman. The NI team includes Gladys O’Neill and Kerry Harty also in this race.
Also included in Saturday’s line up is surprise Jessica Sparke who joins European U23 bronze medallist Kate Avery. With any one of several women in with a chance of taking individual honours, this year’s race is shaping up as one of the most exciting in the events 33 year history.
Key names in the men’s race include Andy Vernon, Mike Skinner, Mike Clohisey, Tseqi Tewelde, Mike Kigen and Youssef Elkalai along with local NI athletes Stephen Scullion, Joe McAlister and Ed McGinley.
The event is one of eleven IAAF permitted cross country races in the world and is part of the UK McCain Cross Challenge Series. The well-established series is the focus of the domestic endurance running scene over the winter months. For full timetable and information on the event visit www.niathletics.org