Byrne and Kulik claim gold over busy weekend
WICKLOW athletes produced some fantastic runs over the weekend with great results from the National Masters XC, the Trim 10-mile and the AAI Indoor Games.
In the AAI Indoor Games, Francois Kulik took gold in the Senior Men’s high jump, achieving an extremely impressive 1.88m, while Rachael Browne ran an impressive 4.56.66 in the Senior Women’s 1500m race.
Parnell AC’s Mick Byrne won gold in his age category in a packed field to follow his recent Leinster crown. Desie Shorten and Ashling Smith were both fourth in their respective age categories (tantalisingly close to national podium results),
Catherine O’Connor finished eighth in her age category (21st overall), William Belton came home 10th in his age category, Anne Marie Kenny managed a very credible 13th in her age category and Mary Hade came home 14th in her age category. Catherine, Ashling, Anne Marie and Mary together achieved a very impressive seventh place for Sli Cualann (and also fourth county team).
Some great results from the Trim 10 miles race also, where Ian McGrath finished sixth overall and first M45. Jean O’Kennedy finished second in her age group. The Sli Cualann team of Donna Quinn, Carol Costello, Jean O’Kennedy and Siobhan Butler finished ninth club team out of 67 teams. The men’s team made up of Ian Mc Grath, Alan Dalton, Joe Cawley and Aonghus O Briain finished fifth overall team.
The ice and frost saw many cancellations across many of the weekend’s Parkrun events, but that didn’t slow Paul Allen, who was the fastest of the Sli Cualann runners, finishing first in Shanganagh in 18:18, while Suzanne foot was second female finisher in Shanganagh in 20:33.
There were great runs from Laci Jane Shannon and Ellen Savage who finished fourth and fifth respectively in the under-15 race in Dundalk IT while Ashford AC’s Noah Harris finished in 12th position in the under-13 race.
There’s a big race in Enniscorthy this weekend where the annual 10km gets underway on Sunday with Wicklow’s Fionnuala McCormack joining a large contingent of Wicklow athletes to lay siege to the course.