from Athletic Northern Ireland website And Athletic Northern Ireland website Weekend Round Up…… The second round of the NI & Ulster Championships for the Uneven Age Groups took place yesterday, Sunday 9th November at the Finn Valley sports Centre in Stranorlar in the weather we have become accustomed to-wet and windy!
Again, there was a huge number of entries for the event- well over 1000 which had athletes ranging from U11 right up to the novice races and vets.
The usual contenders were in place and many winners from Jordanstown were looking for their second gold. In the U19 category, Rachel Campbell of Lagan Valley took the honours in 12.47 followed by Rachel Gibson (City of Lisburn). Top racer Dan King (Milford AC) claimed the U19 title followed closely by Omagh’s Noel Collins.
Joanne Mills (East Down AC) is obviously in top form as she has already clinched two gold medals this season winning the U17 Girls, having already won the U18 in Jordanstown two weeks ago. Cian O’Reilly (Annalee) ran an excellent race in Jordanstown and didn’t fail to disappoint again at Finn Valley winning ahead of rival Ryan McDermott (Dromore AC).
Other category winners include Eva Laverty (U15), Ruairi Finnegan (U15), Maria Kincaid (U13), Conall Kirk (U13), Leanne Kelly (U11) and Callum Crawford-Walker) (U11).
The Novice men’s race was won by James McFadden from Letterkenny AC in 20.52 while Rona Loubser won the ladies race in 14.53.
Full results for these championships are now available including team and county results.
Elsewhere on Saturday the annual 74th McConnell Shield took place at Ballyclare. Kevin Seaward was an impressive winner, coming in well clear of NI Cross Country Champion and title holder Brian Campbell. Jarleth Falls, Owen Carelton and veteran Alan McCullough came next.
Suzanne McCormick fought off a determined Aileen Morrison to win the Ladies race followed by Mary Margaret Meade in third.
In Belgium Paul Pollock and Kerry Harty were competing in the Lotto CrossCup meeting in Mol with Pollock finishing in 33.35 for 33rd place and Kerry Harty running 24.51 for 15th place.
SENIOREN VROUWEN – SENIORS DAMES 6400m
1 BELETE ALMENSCH 89 BEL 23.02
2 DEJAEGHERE VEERLE BEL 23.20
3 BRITTON FIONNUALA IRE 23.26
15 HARTY KERRY IRE 24.51
SENIOREN MANNEN – SENIORS HOMMES 9500m
1 TASAMA FAISA DAME* 87 ETH 30.10
33 POLLOCK PAUL IRE 33.35
In England on Sunday 9 Nov, Abbey AC’s Gladys Ganiel-O’Neill won the Lancaster Half Marathon in 1.20.17. It was a personal best over the distance for Gladys, whose previous fastest time came in 2003. The course was flat and run largely on cycle and towpaths, although a strong wind hampered runners on stretches of it.