Abaas Adam Edris (Castlegar AC) and Helena Butterly (Clonliffe Harriers AC) produced classy performances this afternoon (February 9th) to secure the Intermediate titles at a thrilling edition of the 123.ie National Intermediate, Masters and Juvenile B Cross Country Championships held at Westport House in Co. Mayo.
Edris was a decisive winner of the men’s race over 8,000m, with the Galway athlete crossing the line in a time of 26:16.
Ennis Track AC duo Barry Conway and Jamie Kelly followed Edris home to complete the podium. Dylan Casey (5th) and Padraig Nugent (12th) backed their clubmates performances up to ensure a comfortable team gold medal for the Clare quartet.
The women’s race followed a similar pattern with Butterly (Clonliffe Harriers AC) winning the title over 5000m in 19:44 ahead of her clubmate Niamh Kelly. Jools Hughes (5th) and Julie Larkin (9th) also scored for the Dublin club, who won team gold.
Breda McDonald (Ballyroan, Abbeyleix and District AC) rounded off the podium, winning a hard fought bronze medal.
The master’s races also provided plenty of drama in the tough conditions. Olympian Lizzie Lee (Leevale AC) was a popular winner of the women’s race over 4,000m (14:29).
Lee’s clubmate Sharon Rynne wasn’t too far behind her in second, with last year’s champion Kate Purcell (Raheny Shamrock AC) having to settle for bronze this year.
Last year’s silver medallist Colm Rooney (Clonliffe Harriers) upgraded his medal this year as he won the men’s race over the 7,000m distance, crossing the line in 22:12.
Eoin Mullan (Omagh Harriers) was second, with Conan McCaughey (North Belfast Harriers) finishing third.
Rooney’s gold-medal winning run saw his Clonliffe Harriers team claim victory, with their four scorers inside the top twenty.
Away from the senior races there were impressive performances in the Juvenile B races. Anna Leigh McKenna (Keep ‘Er Lit AC) and Conor Martin (Derg AC) picked up gold in the U15 races, while the U17 titles went the way of Kirsten Kenny (Killarney Valley AC) and Seamus Burke (Lake District AC) respectively.
Provisional Juvenile B results can be found HERE
Provisional Intermediate and Masters results are available HERE