North Belfast Harriers Junior Report 15th Jan 2023

Mallusk Cross Country

It was great to see the kids back at it after a Christmas break. Coaches and kids looked refreshed and raring to go. The Mallusk course had a mix of firm ground, muddy puddles, uphills and flat elements and for once the weather was kind as we all know Mallusk has a climate somewhat similar to the Antarctic. Thanks to Seamus, Lyle and Davey for setting up the tent and having the numbers and pins ready.

First up was the Primary age boys. Plenty of nerves on the start line but when the whistle went it was the usual Braveheart stampeed down the first 100m. Then came the equaliser also known as a rather large hill. Short it may be but enough to knock you off your stride after a mad dash down the opening straight. First Stag runner to the top was young Mason Mercer pumping those legs in an attempt to follow the leading pack. It wasn’t long before they turned left and heading back for home in a fast 800m loop. With cheers from parents and coaches they all made it home safetly with some of them even managing a sprint down the home straight. The results are as follows:

12th Mason Mercer

19th Isaac Mooney

21st Finley McCoy

24th Riley Conwell

30th Lorcan Okane

33rd Pearse Leheny

39th Milo Purvis

Next up was the turn of the Primary age girls. Again after a great warmup by newly qualified coach David Curry they took off down the opening straight once again to be hit by Slieve Donard! After stopping a few in their tracks they took off again round the pitches and headed back towards home. Running through puddles seemed normal by the last corner and all girls finished strong down the home run in. Results are:

14th Eimear Coy

16th Phoebe Reid

17th Grace McKenna

21st Rachel Curry

23rd Sophie Weinger

25th Betsie Taylor

26th Ciara McCloy

Next up was the U13 boys and the biggest field of the day. The distance was 2k now and once they moved up the first hill it seemed an eternity before they returned to the finish area. Josh McClune was the first junior stag home in 6th place with in form Year 8 Thomas Coy in 12th position. Next home in 38th place was Cormac Leheny chased home by Finlay Mercer in 42nd. Well done fellas.

With no under 13 girls running it was time for the U15 boys. First to appear down the hill for the stags into the last 400m was Ryan Donaldson. Behind Ryan the others packed well and results are as follows:

19th Ryan Donaldon

23rd Dara Cassidy

24th Charlie McLarnon

27th Cathal McManus

32nd Donal Maguire

In the U15 girls race we only had 1 runner. Well done Treasa McConnell on 10th place

In the last Junior race of the day the U17 boys and girls ran together. The conditions of the course had now deteriorated with mostly mud under foot. However, they blasted down the opening section and off into the distance. First home for the boys and securing a podium place was Hugo Reilly Stewart. Well done Hugo! Next home for the boys was Eoin McConnell in 5th place then Oscar Purvis in 8th. We also managed to pick up a medal in the girls race with Holly Collins grabbing the silver medal after a terrific run.