Zola is first female home as athletes impress in Antrim
THE annual Antrim IAAF International Cross Country event took place on Saturday, incorporating the British Athletics Cross Challenge.
The event is the highlight of the Cross Country calendar in Northern Ireland and attracts many international athletes.
A team from Sligo AC were among the participants and all competed well in the different races.
The Senior Race was won by Conseslus Kipruto of Kenya as he just pipped Britain’s Abraham Cheroben by a second. Seamus Somers had a strong run to finish 2nd M40 and 47th overall.
Damien Kennedy in 71st, Bill Carty 136th and Brendan McCarrick in 181st can be pleased with their runs in a field of over 200 athletes.
The Female Race was won by Kenya’s Caroline Chepkoech Kipkirui with Fionnula McCormack 4th.
Both Mari Johnston, who was 39th, and Carmel Fallon, in 58th place, had strong runs in a large field of 131.
In the Under 15 Boys, Michael Morgan 32nd, Owen Carty 78th, Sam McDermot 81st and Liam Carty in 91st all ran well.
Riona Connor finished 16th in the U20 Junior Women while Tara Carty was 33rd in the U17 race. In the U17 Boys, Jack Connor was 56th.
All the Sligo athletes can be proud of their performances.
The strong Sligo showing on the athletics field didn’t end there at the weekend.
Just over 300 runners toed the line in Sunday’s Tuam 8K.
Zola Flynn ( Calry AC), daughter of Sligo AC coach Ray, was the first Lady home in 31: 58. David Kearins, in his first race of the year, was 17th overall in 29: 39.
Brendan McCarrick finished in 124th position in a solid time of 37: 35.