Dennis Scott 1st and Jodi Smith 2nd ensured North Down were at the forefront of the last cross country race of this seasons’ ANI league.
The ladies were first off, after the junior races, and Jodi took the race on from the start. Acorn AC’s Karen Alexander and Martina McMullan from Foyle Valley set off in pursuit of Jodi with the Acorn girl succeeding, Jodi finishing 2nd to cap off an excellent season on the mud.
(Photo provided by NIRunning)
Valerie McDonough, running her usual consistent race, was the next North Down athlete to appear in 18th place followed by Ali Robinson 28th and Sarah Benton 34th. The leading 6 ND were completed with Louise Watson in 39th and Joanne Moran 55th.
The mens race was tackled in the opposite fashion to Jodi by Dennis Scott. Dennis was patient in his build up and came through the leading pack in the final stages to mark a significant victory. Jamie Budd, improving on last weeks race in Lurgan, was next in 7th and Francis Marsh (1st O50) half a minute later in 12th. Chris Speers completed in 26th and Gareth Watton 42nd.
(Photo provided by NIRunning)
The junior races involved an abundance of ND youngsters. In the primary school boys there was a top 10 finish from Nathan Semple and good runs by Barney Miller, Euan Tyler and Luke Hamilton. Then Hollie Massey got off to a flying start in the primary school girls, eventually caught but still managing a top 3 finish. Amelia Tyler was first girl home in the u13 race and third overall in a race that included boys of the same age group. The next race (u15 and u17 girls and boys) saw a great turnout from the club with four members of the junior group and six from the senior squad. Murphy Miller was second girl home and Megan Briggs finished well up the field considering she was one of the younger runners; there were also good runs from John McNally and Ella Andrews. Thomas Patterson, Jake Rushby and James McCaughey had good representations for ND and the Scott sisters, Jessica and Anna, and Nia McNally featured well in the girls race.