The British and Irish Masters Cross Country races took place in Tollcross Park in the east end of Glasgow on Saturday 11th November. Age group athletes from across the UK and Ireland who had been selected from national trials in Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland lined up to represent their country in the most prestigious event in the masters’ cross country calendar, an international event which has been hosted by each of the home nations in turn since 1985, with the exception of races cancelled during the pandemic.
5 North Down AC runners who had qualified for the Northern Ireland teams raced; June McMinn finished 6th in the 6k F65 race, the first Northern Irish runner to finish in her event.
[photo: June McMinn]
John Adgey and Pat O’Driscoll were both in action in the M75 race, completing their 6k course in 35:30 and 40:38 respectively.
[photo: John Adgey]
[photo: Pat O’Driscoll]
Sarah Gibson and Helen Byers were both selected as reserves for the F50 and F40 teams. As both teams were able to field the required 4 athletes Sarah and Helen raced in the 6k open race with Sarah finishing 17th in 26:33 and Helen coming 19th in 26:51.
[photo: Helen Byers & Sarah Gibson]
[team photos]
After all the race results were collated, England took the team prize ahead of Ireland and Scotland, with Ireland taking the women’s prize. In 2024 Northern Ireland will host the races and the North Down AC athletes will look forward to donning their NI vests once more to challenge their visitors on home soil.