Terry Eakin cebebrated his recent 65th birthday in the best possible manner – with a gold medal on Saturday at the British & Irish Masters Cross Country Championships in Wollaton Park, Nottingham. Northern Ireland’s International Masters were up against teams from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland ( the Ireland team was also made up of some Northern Ireland based athletes). Along with Terry, Paul Elliot (North Belfast Harriers), Sharon Barlow (Ripon Runners), Brigid Quinn (Ballymena Runners) brought home individual medals.
In his Vets M65 6K event, Terry looked strong as he negotiated the course in 23:55 min, not only winning the individual gold but steering the Northern Ireland Vets 65 team to a bronze medal in the team race. City of Derry AC’s Gerry Lynch (9th place – 24:57) and North Down AC’s David Seaton (16th place – 26:11) were the other team scorers. The Vets M65 team prize was won by Ireland.
Former North Down stalwart Debbie Matchett ( now with Ballydrain) was another team medallist in the ladies F45 6K race, taking silver along with Derry’s Jackie McGinley and Dumfries’ Lisa Finlay (7th, 8th and 10th).
Full Results: British & Irish Masters XC International 2014 Results