16 Juniors competed alongside their senior clubmates around the Coves Reservoir course on a cold sunny winter afternoon.
The most competitive race of the day was between the u17 girls’ over 3 laps of the hilly trail. Summer Taggart led throughout but she was very closely followed by Evie Harrison and Erin McEleny who were making sure she would have to work for the win. It wasn’t until mid-way through the final lap did Summer manage to put some distance between her and her pursuers. All 3 girls were faster paced than last year, with Evie showing the biggest improvement, by almost 5 minutes!
The U20 athletes covered the same 5.5mile distance as the seniors, and they did not disappoint. Lewis McCrae, just over a year with the club, continues to progress, and produced another quick time to finish in 8th overall. Just over 2 minutes behind and with little to separate them came Shaun Wiseman and Jude Dolan both well up the field in 13th and 14th place.
Nuala Quigley and Lewis Scott contested the 3mile race and both looking strong, were well placed among the older athletes after their two laps, Lewis covering the distance in 20.33 and Nuala in 24.35.
The Under 11s and 13s racing over 1 lap all started at the back of the large field, and they didn’t waste much time in working their way through the senior runners in front of them.
Under 13s Aimee McEleny and Orla Trainer were quickest in a time of just over 12miutes for the 1.5mile distance.
Isaac Robin was first u11 boy, ahead of James Mooney who just held off his brother Harry – who was almost 2 minutes quicker than last year. Mila Kileen was another to show a big improvement, 70 seconds faster than last year to win the u11s girls’ race, from Isabell Lafferty and Lily McCall.
U11s: Isaac Robin 12.44, Mila Killeen 13.07, Isabell Lafferty 13.19, James Mooney 13.26, Harry Mooney 13.58, Lily McCall 14.20
U13s: Aimee McEleny 12.20, Orla Trainer 12.40
U15s: Nuala Quigley 24.35, Lewis Scott 20.33,
U17s: Summer Taggart 32.39, Evie Harrison 32.53, Erin McEleny 32.58,
U20s: Lewis McCrae 36.14, Shaun Wiseman 38.18, Jude Dolan 38.28
