Mens’ Team win the Malcolm Cup: Ladies Team 3rd: Junior Girls Excel

North Down athletes had an exceptionally good day on Saturday at Ballyclare when Annadale Striders promoted the Malcolm Cup cross country meeting along with record entries across all races. The meeting also incorporated Round 4 of the ANI Cross Country League, the ladies 3^rd and men 1^st both with a good turnout. The day began well with a large number of club athletes in the Junior Races with girls highly prominent. David Seaton and Fred Murdoch again topped their categories in the vets race. Several athletes had best ever results in the ladies race, notably Melissa Eccles. However the mens’ team trumped the lot by minning the Malcom Cup with James Budde, Francis Marsh, Dennis Scott and Mark Weir complete with a maximum supporting cast.

The opening U11 race produced a 2^nd place finish for Megan Briggs with Finlay Miller 7^th in the boys. The U13 race saw a a first appearance in North Down colours for sisters Jessica and Anna Scott and a belated welcome to both. Jessica was 2^nd and Anna 8^th while while Murphy Miller was 4^ta,  and Niamh Carr 5^th  John McNally was 2^nd in the boys race. Then came the U15 girls race, won in a canter by Mollie Brown with Lauren Hamilton 6^th, Anna McDowell 12^th and Nia McNally 13^th.

The ladies race was a very strong one but with a 3^rd place team finishers and ten finishers, North Down maintained momentum in the Cross Country League. Mention must be made of the good response to Capains Sarah Benton and John McGarvey call to the Monday night runners who came out in good numbers. Particular mention should go to the men vets who gave up their chances in the vets race to opt for the Malcolm Cup race.

The meeting concluded with a win in the Malcolm Cup, previously won in 2007 and 2009 with Francis the sole survivor. The huge response by the others produced  maximum points for the cub in Round 4 of the League

Results link

Club Senior Results