This IAAF event is organised and promoted by Athletics Northern Ireland and sponsored by Antrim Borough Council and McCain. All of the races from U13 to Veterans will have chipped timing and there will be a live feed on results after each age group on the day, please visit www.niathletics.org. If you are staying in the Holiday Inn or Greenmount Campus, please read the noticeboards for travel, accommodation and race information.

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. The event this year will incorporate the Celtic International Cross county with teams from Ulster, Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

The NI Team includes Stephen Scullion who finished 5th last weekend at the McCain Challenge in Cardiff and was also top Irish finisher at the European Cross Country in Dublin. He will join Joe McAlister, Ed McGinley, Aidan McGowan and Noel Collins.

Mayor of Antrim, Councillor Adrian Cochrane-Watson comments,

“Antrim Borough Council is proud to support Antrim IAAF International Cross Country and is delighted that Athletics Northern Ireland has chosen to hold this prestigious event in Antrim for the second year. CAFRE, Greenmount Campus, with its central location and ease of access, is an ideal venue for this world class competition.”

The Mayor continues, “Events such as this contribute significantly to the Borough, attracting visitors from across the UK, Ireland and beyond. We wish Athletics Northern Ireland, CAFRE and the runners every success for January 2010.”

Over the decades, some of the best international cross-country competitors from as far afield as the USA, Uganda and Kenya have made the trip to challenge each other at this acclaimed NI fixture and high profile athletes have competed here such as Paula Radcliffe, Paul Tergat, Steve Cram, Steve Ovett, John Tracey, Khalid Skah, Sergey Lebid, Liz McColgan and Brendan Foster to name a few.

NORTHERN IRELAND TEAM

SENIOR MEN
Joe McAllister
Eddie McGinley
Stephen Scullion M U23 North Belfast
Noel Collins M U23 Omagh
Aidan McGowan M U23 St.Malachys

SENIOR WOMEN
Gladys Ganiel Oneill Abbey AC
Karen Alexander
Kerry Harty Newcastle

Ulster Celtic International Cross Country Team

Barry Kelly B U17 Omagh
Mark Bonner B U17 Finn Valley
Andrew O’Brien B U17 Annalee
Shane Maguire B U17 Mon. Phoenix

Pauric McLaughlin B U20 Finn Valley
Robbie Idle B U20 St. Malachys
Ryan McDermott B U20 Dromore

Elaine Burch G U17 East Down
Eva Laverty G U17 Lagan Valley
Alicia Boylan G U17 Oriel
Eadaoin O’Reilly G U17 Annalee

Eimear Black G U20 B & Antrim
Rachel Campbell G U20 Lagan Valley
Emma Mitchell G U20 Banbridge AC
Catherina Mullen G U20 Shercock

Stephen Scullion M U23 North Belfast
Noel Collins M U23 Omagh
Aidan McGowan M U23 St.Malachys
Robin Brown M U23 North Down

Susan Smyth W U23 Beechmount
Lauren Scott W U23 North Down
Michelle English W U23 Letterkenny
Rachel Gibson W U23 City of Lisburn

stephen scullion