Autumn Open Cross Country Preview

The Autumn Open Cross Country Event organised by Athletics Ireland will take place at the Magazine Fort in the Phoenix Park this Sunday, 19th of October. Former Double European Cross Country Champion Fionnuala Britton (Kilcoole AC) will make her cross country debut as she builds towards the European Cross Country Championships in Bulgaria on the 14th of December.    There will be a choice of an open 5km race starting at 2.15pm or an open 8km race starting at 3pm open to both men and women.

Britton will contest the 8km race along with fellow International Cross Country athletes Sarah Mulligan (Dundrum South Dublin AC) and Anne Marie McGlynn (Letterkenny AC). Britton has recently returned from a successful stint of training at altitude in France as she seeks a hard workout around the famous Munich Hills in the Phoenix Park.

Gary Thornton (Galway City Harriers AC), Ruairi Finnegan (Letterkenny AC) and St Malachy’s AC duo of Gary Murray and Joe McAlister are all due to contest the 8k race as athletes begin their build-up to the GloHealth Inter County Cross Country Championships on the 23rd of November in Dundalk.

Junior Athletes

The junior cross country squads under the tutelage of the National Junior Team Coaches Steven Macklin, Joe Ryan and Geraldine Nolan will be out in force on Sunday as they aim to show form ahead of the Inter counties. The junior women will contest the 5km open race running a lap less than the seniors and the junior men will do likewise in the 8km race.

Athletes to watch out for on the day in the junior races include Andrew Corscoran (Star of the Sea AC), David Mulhare (Portlaoise AC), Isabel Carron (Skerries AC) and Rhona Pierce (Leevale AC).

Master Trial

The races will also incorporate the Master Cross Country Trials for the British and Irish Master Cross Country Championships.