Irish athletics fans will descend upon Castle Irvine Estate outside Enniskillen this Sunday (Nov 17th) for what promises to be a stellar weekend of athletics action as Ireland’s best cross-country athletes go in search of national glory and European selection at the 123.ie National Senior, Junior and Juvenile Even Age Cross Country Championships.
Those coveted podium places will be as sought-after as ever with the leading places securing selection on the Irish team set to compete at the European Cross Country Championships in Antalya, Türkiye, on 8 December.
It looks ultra-competitive across the full schedule of competition and the 2024 edition of the 123.ie National Cross Country Championships could throw up some surprises with athletes in both the senior men’s and women’s races taking on the shorter 7,500m distance.
Cormac Dalton will return in defence of his title in a stacked looking senior men’s race (2.50pm) which includes entries from the in-form Efrem Gidey and Hiko Tonosa, as well as recent Autumn Open Cross Country champion Keelan Kilrehill who could be just three of Dalton’s likely challengers.
Fiona Everard looks to have timed her preparations perfectly as she bids to go back-to-back following last year’s breakout success at the senior cross in Gowran. Everard was 3rd at the Autumn Open Cross last month, following up that performance with a strong showing to take first place in the Universities Cross which should leave her primed for another huge run.
Many eyes will be on West Limerick’s Íde Nic Dhómhnaill who finished ahead of Everard in second place at the Autumn Open, with the West Limerick athlete sure to lack little in the way of motivation following last year’s late withdrawal when looking one of the likely favourites.
There will be no shortage of support for the local athletes with Enniskillen’s Annabel Morrison sure to go well in the U20 race having placed 8th last year. Morrison comes into Sunday in great form following a win in Belfast last month, while clubmate Harry McKenzie also impressed at the Ulster champs and is sure to have plenty of local support in the men’s U20 race.
The action on Sunday will get underway with the U12 girls at 11:30am, building to a crescendo with the senior races which start from 2.10pm.
It is not the only international cross country event this weekend either.
On Saturday 16th November at Billy Neill Country Park Northern Ireland Masters Athletics Association will be hosting the 35th Annual British and Irish Masters Cross Country International. This is an event for both men and women athletes, all 35 years of age and over.
There are teams from Northern Ireland, The Republic of Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. All competitors are grouped together in 5 year age bands, with the oldest category being men 80 years of age and over.
Once upon a time sport was regarded as something to be enjoyed only by the young. All that has changed and in the present era people have come to understand the physical and mental benefits of keeping fit throughout middle age, and much beyond, even into the later years of life.
Sport for Business member Kingsbridge Private Hospital Group is an event sponsor.
Athletes and attendees on the day will be able to avail of a preferential rate to Kingsbridge GP and Minor Injury Clinic.
The Sport for Business Membership comprises nearly 300 organisations, including all the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies.