AAI All-Ireland Intermediate XC Champs: Women’s team 4th

North Down sent two teams for the first time ever to this years AAI Intermediate XC champs, with the women’s team coming out best – just out of the medals in 4th. Taking advantage of the championships being held closer than in most years – this time at City of Derry’s home turf, Gransha Park – 11 North Down athletes made the trip and raced athletes from North & South (with many travelling from as far as Dublin, Clare, Offaly and Cork) .

Conditions were mild (10 ºC), breezy, a bit damp and with a course becoming ever more cut up as the previous nights heavy rain and programme of races took their toll – but still with some firm going in parts. The penultimate race of the day – the women’s intermediate championship over 5000m – saw Jessica Craig lead the team home in 8th place, just behind the winner of last weeks Ulster Intermediate championships after battling out for a higher placing early in the race. Stephanie Hambling continued her consistent good form with a fine 21st place in a very competitive field, while great packing by Melissa Eccles (35th) and Ali Robinson (36th) earned the team a very creditable 4th place – despite a few key North Down athletes missing.

The men’s team were similarly missing some athletes so did well enough to place 10th of 14 teams in the 8000m race with Francis Marsh 30th, Michael Dyer 39th, Dennis Scott 62nd & Thomas Simpson 83rd making the scoring 4 and Lloyd Hannigan 85th, David Gray 98th and John McGarvey 100th completing the squad.

Results Inter Women   Inter Men

North Down Athletes