[Not a valid template]Now firmly on the comeback trail, Francis Marsh had another good run in the first cross country meeting of the season finishing 5th in the Comber Cup. It was also the selection race for veteran athletes with the Home International coming up on the 12th November in Dublin. North Down vets likely to be on the team are David Seaton, 2nd in the M60 race; Hugh Young and Billy Brannigan (welcome back), 2nd and 3rd in the M65 race; Hilary Kernaghan, 4th in the F40 race.
[Not a valid template]There was also an easy 1-2 for Jessica Craig and Lauren Scott in the girls U18 race. It was a beautiful day at the Billy Neil Soccer Centre with the course in great condition. First off were the U18 girls and U16 boys over 3K. Jessica Craig won the girls race in 13.28 with Lauren Scott 2nd in 13.29 and Nicola Simpson 4th in 15.00 while Thomas Simpson was 2nd boy in 12.34.
Then came vets up to 64 over 8K with John Quiery 32nd overall in 28.36, Tony Wall 35th in 28.52. David Seaton 39th in 29.29, Norman Lellyett 44th in 30.04, Brian Smith 47th in 30.12, Marcus McAuley 50th in 30.28, Fred Murdock 66th in 33.42 and Pat O”Driscoll 73rd in 37.48. Men over 65 and women vets were racing over 5K with Hilary Kernaghan running 20.17, Lynne Wilson 22.10, Hugh Young 22.21 and Billy Brannigan 23.15.
The Comber Cup itself was over 7K with Francis Marsh making a profit in 5th with 21.39 and James Agar 28th in 26.14.
The Open Race was won by Deane Fisher from Kevin Seaward, David Simpson and Ricky Graham. Alan McCullough was well clear in the vets with Mark Kirk second while Julie Butler was equally dominant in the womens race.