Record Club Medal Haul at Senior Champinships

[Not a valid template]North Down had its best ever day at the IAAF International Meeting, starting with the U13 girls winning the team race, building up to a team bronze in the Ladies Senior Championship and climaxing with first ever Senior medals with silver in the Mens Senior Championship. Coupled with some good performances in the age races and maximum turnouts in the two main races. Races where a club runner can line up against a current World Champion.

 

[Not a valid template]Thankfully there was an interlude in the current stormy conditions and Greenmount was in good condition despite heavy recent downpours. There was still some rain about at the first race but it soon cleared up as Mollie Brown was 4^th U13 girl and 3^rd Ulster with Jessica Scott 8^th, Anna Scott 16^th and Murphy Miller 28^th to get North Down off to the best possible stat with a win.

 

There was then some good sound running from John McNally and Finlay McGrath in the U13 boys, Lauren Hamilton and Nia McNally in the U15 girls, Craig McMeechan and Reece Simpson in the U15 boys, Jamie McMeechan and Ciaran Farren in the U17 boys, Megan Briggs in the girls primary, Finlay Miller in the boys primary, Michael Roberts in the veterans, Corey Brown and Katie Moore in the youths and ladies U20’s.

 

The atmosphere was crackling as the two big races neared. It was ladies first and Rachel Gibson was doubling up for the Northern Ireland team and for North Down in the Senior Championship. Rachel was 4t NI scorer and was 28^th overall against international opposition. The scoring team was completed by Julie Balmer in 54^th, Melissa Eccles 56^th and Ange Perrott 57^th. However it was the packing which was impressive with Catherine Roberts 58^th, Valerie McDonough 63^rd, Nikki Heywood 72^nd and Rebecca Collins 75^th.  That’s 7 girls in 21 places, definitely Championship running. Finishes by Helen Irvine, Gemma McAnirn and Janice Sheppey ensured maximum participation points in the ANI League.

 

The men also stuck to the close packing theme. The scoring six were James Budde in 50^th, Michael Dyer in 54^rd,  Francis Marsh in 55^th, Dennis Scott in 60^th, Stuart Donald in 61^st and Stephen Wylie in 65^th.  And there were another 11 of them, doing their all, behind them to gain another maximum pointer. Well done to every one.

 

When it came to league place points on the day, both teams dropped a position with fewer needed to score leaving the ladies 4^th  (3 score)and the men 3^rd(4 score) but its championship medals that matter for this one. Also, when all points counted, the men move up 1 place to 2nd overall in the league (overtaking Foyle Valley), while the ladies remain in 3rd . Next league race: Sat 8th Feb – Enniskillen (Necarne Castle and Equestrian Centre, Irvinestown). PLEASE LET JOHN OR SARAH KNOW ASAP IF YOU INTEND TO COMPETE AND WOULD WANT A PLACE ON A TEAM BUS.

 

Full Results:  

 

Age Group Races

 

Womens Senior Championship

Mens Senior Championship