[Not a valid template]Although the size of the field was still healthy, it was down on previous years in the Smith Shield race for the Spring Handicap. Easter Saturday is far from ideal as a date but the choice was determined by the fixture list. However it did produce fantastic weather as the recent sunshine continued and the conditions were ideal. The race itself was a triumph for Brian Barron who became the first club athlete to simultaneously hold the Hawtin and Smith Shields for the Christmas and Spring Handicaps over the Crawfordsburn Trail. He also was the fastest net runner on the day and collected the Cross Country Award in his age group for the recent season.
In second and third were the two Jonathans, Messrs McGrath and McGarvey with Ken Hawtin and Thomas Simpson fourth and fifth. Jill Dowie was the first girl followed by Stephanie Hambling. There were some excellent net times – it was good to see Ken back to form and Pat O”Driscoll ran a blinder.
If you wonder why NDAC doesn”t do orienteering look no further than the Crawfordsburn handicaps. It may be a national sport in Sweden but passed Nicklas Arkensparr by. In fairness Nick was back marker on his own and well isolate4d from the beginning but his time if it stood would rank as time travel. Care Scott and Leigh McWha should know the way but ran far more than the official course as did Matthew McMullan who was another to go adrift. All had times that suffered accordingly
The race was followed by the presentation of club trophies for the recent cross country season and these went to:-
- U13 Boy Glen Willis
- U15 Boy Mark Armstrong U15 Girl Clare Scott
- U17 Boy Brian Barron U17 Girl Lauren Scott
- U20 Youth Robin Brown
- Open Male James Budde Open Female Nicola Simpson
- Vet O40 Francis Marsh Veteran Female Lynne Wilson
- Vet O50 Pat O”Driscoll
- Vet O60 Norman Lellyett
- Brannigan Awards (Outstanding) Robin Brown and Kerry Iveston