Comber Cup XC

The event held at Billy Neill Playing Fields near Comber was incorporated into the Athletics NI XC League this year and was the first of 9 events in the series.  Organised by local club Ballydrain Harriers, it proved to be a great start with a substantial course containing several hills to test athletes winding down from autumn road races.  It also marked a return to different races for the ladies/veterans and the senior men.   On an unseasonably warm dry day there were some great performances from our athletes

In the 6k ladies/veterans race Jennifer Black showed that she meant business from the start, being in the front few for much of the race.  It turned out to be quite a close result with Jennifer finishing in 6th place with a time of 24m10s, only some 20 seconds behind the leaders.  Liz Leitch was next of the OAC ladies to finish with a time of 28m43s.  Sharon Dickenson was next with a time of 32m24s.  Veteran men Hugh Young, Jim Harris and Eoin Woodman finished with times of 33m08s,33m17s and 44m14s respectively.

In the 8k senior race, John Craig was first club athlete to finish with a time of 27m39s in 8th place against a very strong field.  Next was Thomas Leitch with a time of 31m47s and Stephen Orr (33m33s)

Remaining times were:

Paul Woodman 34m43s
Graeme McNabb 35m13s
Michael O’Donoghue 35m54s
Brian Todd 36m41s

The men picked up 3 points in the XC League