It was Northern Ireland’s turn to host the annual British and Irish Masters Cross Country International as veteran athletes from the home nations and Ireland met at Queens Sports Centre on Saturday. North Down AC were represented by 11 athletes, male and female over a range of ages. Women and men over 65 ran over 6K, other men over 8K and there were also open races.
Ange Perrott ran for the F35 team and was 4th NI finisher in 25:12 min and had the distinction of bringing back a team medal, Northern Ireland finishing 3rd in the F35 team race. No such luck for the others although Stephanie Hambling was 1st Northern Ireland runner at F40 in 24:08 and Debbie Matchett was 2nd NI at F45, finishing in 24:55.
Also over 6K, North Down claimed the first 3 Northern Ireland runners at M65, David Seaton finishing in 25:39, Brian Smith in 25:51 and Norman Lellyett in 27:25. One age group up, Fred Murdoch had a great race to finish 1st NI at M70 in 26:32.
Michael Roberts dropped down an age group to compete in the M55 group over 8K and was 4th NI finisher in 35:24. Terry Eakin ran in the M60’s and was 2nd NI runner in 32:24. Chris Bryan competed in the M35’s and ran 32:24.
There were also open races for men and women although Ali Robinson was the only North Down taker, others preferring to train with next week’s Road 10K Championship in mind. Ali was 5th lady in the 6K open race.