Rachael competes in All-Ireland Schools’ Cross Country
Last weekend on March 12, I travelled to Belfast in County Antrim to compete in the All-Ireland Schools’ Cross Country. My family and I went up to Belfast on Friday evening and we stayed overnight. I was looking forward to running in the All-Ireland Cross Country representing my school Coláiste an Chraoibhín.
The first schools’ cross-country race was South Munster which was on February 4th in Riverstick and the top fifteen athletes qualified. I came 9th, which meant I qualified for the Munster Schools two weeks afterwards.
Then, in Munster Cross Country event, I came 13th and qualified for the All-Irelands in Belfast the following weekend. I was nervous but excited to be running in Belfast. It was the longest distance I travelled in Ireland, as I was never in Belfast before!
On the day of the race, there was a great atmosphere and lots of athletes and their families who came to watch and support. I was running in the Intermediate Girls 3,500 metres race.
The course was very muddy and had a few hills. There were around 80 people in my race and I finished 46th. It was a wonderful experience for me and I was delighted to be representing my school in Fermoy!