from Athletics Northern Ireland The fourth annual Bobby Rea Memorial Cross Country Races will be held Saturday 23 October at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown. The events, including men’s and women’s races and the Northern Ireland & Ulster Even Age Group Cross Country Championships, commemorate Rea’s contribution to athletics in Northern Ireland.
The races have traditionally attracted some of Northern Ireland’s top athletes and clubs. Paul Pollock of Abbey, a former winner of the event and recent winner of the Bangor Classic 10k, will be taking part along with clubmate Simon Taylor, who performed well at the recent Great North Run half marathon. The defending champion is Ciaran Doherty of Letterkenny, who fought off a strong challenge from Conor Flannigan in last year’s race.
On the women’s side, another former winner, Judi Graham of Abbey, will be lining up. Defending champion Gladys Ganiel O’Neill, also of Abbey, will be sitting this one out in order to rest up for the Dublin Marathon on Monday 25 October.
The Bobby Rea Races follow on from the age group competition. At 3 p.m. there will be a combined 5km race for the women, under-20 women, veteran women, and the over 60 veteran men. The 8 km senior men’s race is set for 3.30 p.m. and includes under 20 and veteran’s awards. There will be cash prizes up for grabs, including team and individual age group awards.
Entries for the senior races will be taken on the day from 1 p.m. and are £5 for registered and £6 for non-registered athletes. Entries for the Age Group Championships must be sent to Athletics Northern Ireland.
Rea died suddenly in November 2006 after a short illness. He was well-known in Northern Ireland for his enthusiasm and support for the sport at all levels, and worked tirelessly as a coach, competitor, and administrator. Rea was a founding member, chair and coach of Abbey Athletics Club. Rea is also remembered each year at the Northern Ireland and Ulster Senior Women’s cross country championships, as the trophy for the winning team is named in his honour.
For more information, please contact Simon Taylor on 079 50010461 or visit the fixtures section.