Storm Isla on the 21st of January followed by Storm Jocelyn on the 23rd of January did little to stop the School District A Schools Cross Country at Delamont Country Park. Thankfully the winds had eased off but the ground was soddened and the underfoot conditions were described as very sticky by all the runners. At this event EDAC post primary juniors represent their schools so it can be very difficult to spot runners in different vests. The distances for each age groups were made up of various combinations of small 430m laps and large 1160m laps. Years 8,9, and 10 run in single age categories. The age groups then combine with Years 11 and 12 running together in the intermediate category and Years 13 and 14 running together in the senior category. This can add an extra challenge for those runners who are in the lower of the two age categories. From each race the top 15 get an individual qualifying place for the Ulster Schools Championships in 10 days’ time. Other runners can get to run in the Ulster’s if they are part of one of the top three teams.
The Mini (First year) started the proceedings with one small lap and one larger lap of the fields, a distance of just over 1.5 kilometres. Annie Canavan ran in the Mini girls race with her Assumption Grammar School teammates. She placed 42nd out of 137 runners. Dillon Hynds followed in the Mini boys’ race for St Patrick’s over the same distance and placed 36 out of 155 runners.
Jarlath Price ran the two laps (2320m) Minor boys’ race (Year 9). After a tumble at the start he recovered well to place 19th out of 135 runners and help his team qualify for the Ulster’s in 10 days’ time.
The Senior races were then shoehorned into the schedule possibly so the runners can be guaranteed support during their longer races. Anna Gardiner easily won the Senior girl’s title over 3.5 kilometres cementing her position at the top. Jacob Crawford, who placed 28th out of 42 runners in the 6-kilometre senior race, helped his Down High team win third team place and so progresses with his team mates to the Ulster final.
Cara Napier representing Assumption Grammar school and Abigail Elliott, Kate Jackson and Charlotte Barr all representing Down High School ran in the 3 lap, 3.5 kilometre race. By this stage the ground was boggy and the corners very slippery so keeping upright was a challenge. Cara placed 15th gaining a well-deserved individual place at the Ulster’s. Abigail was unfortunate to just miss out on a place coming 17th. She reckoned it was a day for strong calf muscles rather than her long strides. Charlotte placed 34th and Kate placed 70th.
Alex Robinson, with a June birthday and in 4th year, was one of the youngest runners in the 4.5-kilometre, Intermediate race. He didn’t let that put him off and had an individual qualifying place in his sights. He started out with the lead pack at pace and sat in the top ten until the last lap when the increasing distance and energy sapping hills took their toll. He was glad to cross the finish line in 13th out of 91 knowing he had done enough to get an individual qualifying place in the next round Ulster competition representing Down High School.
