Mullusk Harriers held the first cross country event of 2024 year on a dry but bitterly cold January day at Belfast Playing fields. Although the sun was shining there was little evidence of heat and all spectators were glad they could keep their down jackets, hats and gloves on.
The primary school races started first at 10.30 with the girls and boys running a 800m loop separately. The course was mainly flat but had some steep inclines and declines going from one playing field to another. The Primary school kids only had one steep incline and decline but with the race effectively a sprint the hills were brutal. Orlaith Keary was the only primary school entrant and she had a steady race placing 7th in a fast field.
After the primary school races all other races followed a larger loop of approximately 2K with this loop having more steep inclines and declines to master. The outward side of the loop involved flat sections interspaced with two steep inclines. The first step descent was after about 600m with a sharp right hand bend at the bottom followed by a sharp ascent approximately 10m further long to regain the level the runners had just come from. This meant there was little time to capitalise on the speed gained by the short downhill section. There was then a long sweeping section as the course turned back towards the start area to start the same loop again.
Two U15 juniors took part in the u15 race; Cara Napier and Alex Robinson. They ran 4k made up of two loops. Alex made his intentions known from the start and headed out in the lead pack conscious of his competition from previous races. Soon he was in the lead group of three being led by Rory Armstrong (Lagan Valley, AC) and Luc le Blanc (St Colman’s, Newry). On the second lap Rory pulled away showing why he placed third at the All-Ireland Uneven Age Groups in December last year. Alex was sitting clear in second but as the distance increased, the inclines sapped his legs, and in the final stretch the pack slowly caught up. In the last 200m he was overtaken by Conan O’Doherty but dug deep to hold onto a very close third. Cara had an equally good run. She paced the race well to finish strongly.
The next race for EDAC juniors is the third McGrady race on Sunday 21st January which will be held at Delamont Park. This is an EDAC hosted event so all hands will be on deck for a successful event. Let’s hope the snow stays away.
