The final round of the McGrady Financial Services Junior Cross country Series took place on Saturday in mild, muddy, occasionally rainy but always entirely enjoyable conditions in Delamont Country Park. And all credit to the boys and girls who turned out and to the parents who turned them out, in what seemed threatening but in reality were fairly benign conditions.

There were many courageous performances not least from Jamie McDowell, Michael and Christopher O’Connor, Anna Gardiner, Makenzie Murray,  Anna Lynn, the Carroll sisters, the McMullan and Atkinson brothers, the Doyle trio but due to some accidentally amalgamated age groups the results will take a little longer o workout and a more detailed report will follow next week. This has nothing whatsoever to do with PJ McCrickard’s French leave – who wouldn’t opt for EuroDisney ahead of Delamont? Though the next time Santa is spreading that sort of largesse around I hope he’s in my living room!

GOSFORD FOREST 10K

Several club members sought drier and warmer condition in the Born2Run 10K in Gosford Forest and were joined by almost 500 others for the second running of this event. Catherine O’Connor carried on where she left off last week, posting  44.27 ahead of of Michael McKeown 44.31, with Linda Cunnningham 55.16  well in the top half of the field and Bernice McCann and Eithne McGrattan happy to compete in more sedate fashion a little further back.

ONLINE ENTRY FOR JIMMY’S TEN

Online entry for Jimmy’s Ten is now open on the www.athleticsni.org and with a limit to be imposed there may be no the day entries, and if there are it will be at increased cost. Runners are urged to get in early with the following re-assurance. Any entrant who for whatever reason is unable to run will have their entry carried over to 2014. This is the only event where this offer is made so enter with confidence, you cannot lose. Added to which there will be pacers for several time categories including sub 40 and sub 48 minutes who will get you back inside your target.

ROLLERCOASTER RACES AT DOWNPATRICK RACECOURSE

Plans are already well advanced for the Rollercoaster races on 1 February at Downpatrick Racecourse, where there is a unique opportunity to experience how AP McCoy and Ruby Walsh feel as the approach the winning post, though a horse is not required and there won’t be a whip in sight.

All entries taken on the day from 10.00am onwards

Joe Quinn

19 January 2014