82nd McConnell Shield
With the new skippers Jill and Stephen providing clear instructions and targets from the outset of the XC season and with a bun-filled cosy gazebo on offer, who could turn them down?
This race was the second of the 4 XC races being targeted for points and as ever the runners and support crew done the club proud. The race is split into a 3 mile race for Women and over 60 Men and then a 5 mile race for Men.
The ladies and ‘mature’ (over 60) men kicked off the fresh afternoon at 1:30 and was won by Catherine Whoriskey of City of Derry AC in 17:10:
| 46th | Julie McKimm | 22:10 | |
| 60th | Emma McWilliams | 23:22 | |
| 77th | Jacqui Maxwell | 24:28 | 3rd in Age Cat |
| 84th | Jenny Powell | 24:59 | |
| 110th | Catherine Fearon | 27:16 | |
| 125th | Sharon McFarland | 29:39 |
60+ Men
| 9th | Brian Todd | 20:49 |
| 20th | Reg Sanlon | 24:12 |
The men started at 2pm and it was won by Conor Duffy of North Belfast Harriers in 25:43:
| 39th | Andy McIntyre | 30:09 |
| 55th | Michael Broadhead | 31:41 |
| 64th | Robin Montgomery | 32:04 |
| 67th | Eric Fairfield | 32:07 |
| 68th | Des Fahy | 32:11 |
| 108th | Andrew Acheson | 34:56 |
| 115th | Michael O’Donoghue | 35:10 |
| 161st | Ian Reid | 50:10 |
Andy McIntyre tried to match his time with his new birthday but…he was too quick…an excellent 30:09 and 39th place. Happy birthday Andy.
The Athletics NI XC League standings, after Comber and Bobby Rea shows the ladies with 19 points and in 7th place out of 22 XC teams, whereas, the men have 18 points and sit in 6th place out of 25 teams. Mighty Oaks XC is the next targeted race on Saturday 19 November although I’m not sure if Jill and Stephen have informed the full coach-load OAC-ers that there is a race on and that it’s not just a day trip to the shops and pubs!
