Masters International Selection Races: Roberta’s Back

[Not a valid template]At Queens University Playing Fields on Saturday, the opening race of the Northern Ireland Cross Country season,was the Northern Ireland Masters Athletics Association (NIMAA) Masters Open XC, which also incorporated trials for the upcoming British & Irish Masters XC, due to take place in Cardiff (Wales) on Saturday 16th November 2013.  The Ladies and Masters Men 65+ went first for their three lap, 6k race. Talented veteran ladies Cathy McCourt(NBH) and Denise Toner (Clones) finished first followed Rachel Gibson in 22:34 min who was an easy winner of the open race.

A big surprise was the re-emergence of Roberta Dornan who, for well over a year has not raced or trained with the club for personal and health reasons. If that was not enough, Roberta came in 6^th overall and 3^rd F35 which was enough to earn selection to the Northern Ireland team for Cardiff. Brian Smith also earned automatic selection by winning the M70 category There were useful cross country warm ups for Ange Perrott, Nikki Heywood, Sarah Benton, Helen Ryan, Norman Lellyett and Marie Devine. In the 8K mens’ race Terry Eakin also won automatic selection for Cardiff by winning the M60 category and Craig Thornberry and John McGarvey had useful runs.

With commendable promptitude, the International teams were decided soon afterwards and announced on Saturday evening at the NIVAA Awards Dinner for the last year. North Down athletes Mark Weir (M40) and David Seaton  were additions to the teams.

Full Results:  NIMAA XC 2013 Results

North Down Results