Cork County cross country championship action
The Cork County cross country championships were held on Sunday, October 4, under very strict Covid conditions. The county board had laid very strict rules, with no spectators allowed and once a race was over, athletes had to leave the venue. So this year there was no pitching tents, lying down on grass or sitting on camping chairs or running up and down the field with wellies to cheer on all competitors. Nevertheless, Grange Fermoy AC had quite a few participants wanting to run under these rules. There was a bit of a sour taste but as one of our guys, Mike Lyons said, “Great to be back running cross country!”
On the first day only 6 races were scheduled: U14, U16 and Novice. The venue was Riverstick and the weather didn’t disappoint with strong winds but no rain! The ground was dry but the hills made it a tough course. A good XC course! First in action were the U14 girls with Melina Pyrovolaki who was racing her very first XC. She finished 15th and ran a very hilly 3km course. Next from the club was U16 Rachael Walsh and she also did very well running a tough 4km and finishing 13th. Novice ladies were next and had to run a 4K course, so well done to Ashleigh Byrne who was 12th, Clotilde Fitzgibbon 27th, Geraldine Hartnett 46th. Emilija Dorgan 56th and Claire Lomasney 60th. The team finished in 8th position.
The next event was the novice men, and they also had a tough 6K course to run in a very competitive field with over 110 runners. Their team finished in 9th position with first crossing the line Richard O Brien in 36th position, followed by Michael Lyons 53rd, John Hartnett 58th, and Brian O Hagan 62nd. Congratulations to all competitors, and thanks to the county board for managing to stage the races under such trying conditions.
UPCOMING RACES
Well, there are none. Cross country events were due to be held next weekend, and then later in October, but because of the new level 3 restrictions it is highly unlikely that we will see any more races until after Christmas, if at all. Fortunately we are still allowed out to train, so we can only do what we can do and try and stay safe.