Over 350 Athletes Take Part In Autumn Open Cross Country
Former Double European Cross Country Champion Fionnuala Britton (Kilcoole AC) was the star attraction at the Autumn Open Cross Country which took place in the Phoenix Park on Sunday, 19th of October. Britton was joined by over 350 athletes taking part in either the 5k or 8k Open Races on offer. The event organised by Athletics Ireland aimed at encouraging those that take to the roads every weekend to come along and try a different style of racing on the country. Both the 5k and 8k were open events allowing the men and women to race together over their desired distance.
Open 8k
Britton who has recently returned from a training stint at altitude in France was in search of a hard work out as she builds up towards the European Cross Country Championships in Bulgaria on the 14th of December. Britton quickly established herself as the leading female in the race as she settled into the pack.
Britton moved powerfully around the famous Munich loop and crossed the line in a time of 28.09, over a minute clear of the next female athlete. She was followed home by Michelle Finn (Leevale AC) second in a time of 29.35 and Sarah Mulligan (Dundrum South Dublin AC) third in a time of 29.55.
There was an encouraging return to form for Brendan O’Neill (Dundrum South Dublin AC) as he crossed the line first overall in the 8k race. O’Neil a former U23 European Cross Country Team Gold Medallist looked very much back to his best as he pulled clear of the field with one lap remaining. Mark Christie (Mullingar Harriers AC) did his best to stay in touch but O’Neill proved the stronger as he won in a time of 25.54. Kevin Maunsell (Clonmel AC) stormed through the field to place second in a time of 26.01 with Christie third in a time of 26.07.
Junior Men
The junior men ran with the senior athletes covering a distance of 6k with Con Doherty (Westport AC) taking a commanding victory in a time of 19.59. Jack O’Leary (Mullingar Harriers AC) crossed the line second in a time of 20.16 with Andrew Wright (Willowfield Harriers AC) third in a time of 20.24.
Open 5k
The 5k race proceeded the 8k race with another big field lining up to tackle the tricky Phoenix Park course. James McAssey (St Laurence O’Toole AC) was a comfortable winner of the race as he gradually pulled away from the rest of the field to record a time of 18.06. Maria O’Sullivan (Raheny Shamrock AC) was first female across the line in second place overall in a time of 19.01. She was followed home by Becky Woods (Clonliffe Harriers AC) and Mary Mulhare (Portlaoise AC).
Junior Women
The junior women contested the same race covering a distance of 4km. Isabel Carron (Skerries AC) was a class apart as she coasted to victory in a time of 15.30 with Jessica Coyne (Doneen AC) second in a time of 15.48 and Rhona Pierce (Leevale AC) third in a time of 15.55
Next up for the majority of these athletes will be the GloHealth Inter Counties and Juvenile Even Age Championships taking place in Dundalk (DKIT) on the 23rd of November.