Athletics Westmeath XC 2022 – Day 1 (2nd Oct)

Great competition at Athletics Westmeath Cross Country

Day one of the Athletics Westmeath Cross Country Championships was held in Belvedere on Sunday 2nd October on a dry bright sunny morning, perfect conditions for running. Competition was for boys and girls under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 years of age. Compared to the huge numbers that attended the Westmeath Schools Cross Country mid-week, this was a much quieter affair though the numbers taking part were up on last year, including some from Athlone AC and some guest runners from Longford AC, though the biggest change from last year when Covid restrictions still applied was the large number of parents that came to watch. There was great competition in each race and performances were very encouraging in the older age groups in particular, where the focus was on places on Club and County teams at the Leinster Cross Country Championships.

There were a good number of newcomers that had run in the Westmeath Schools Cross Country and if not members of a Club they’re strongly encouraged to join their nearest Club. The boys and girls that ran in the non-Championship under 8 and under 10 races really enjoyed themselves and were delighted with their medals, one for everyone that finished. Moving to the Championships proper, the race distances were longer than in the Westmeath Schools but that was no problem for those that have been training regularly. The course in Belvedere is a great test of cross country endurance and those that train there regularly will have no problem with any course at the Leinsters. There were some very good individual performances but Championship cross country is also about team running, so everyone was being closely watched by Club coaches, particularly the newcomers.

Day two on Sunday morning 9th October in Belvedere will be for boys and girls under 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19 years of age, and for men and women junior, novice, senior and master. The first race will be at 11am so the younger runners should be in Belvedere before 10.30am to get ready and know where they have to run. The Athletics Westmeath Cross Country is an open competition and you don’t have to be a member of a Club to take part, so everyone who took part in the schools cross country is very welcome to compete.

The results of both days will be used to select teams to represent the Club and Westmeath in the upcoming Leinster Championships. The results of the men and women races this Sunday will also be used to select Club and County teams for the Leinster Championships, so all adult members that want to run in the Leinster Championships must run on day two. The Leinster Championships take place over two days, with two weeks between each, so juvenile athletes can run in their own age group and can move up an age group to make up teams. Therefore, we expect all juveniles to compete on both days of the Westmeath Championships unless ill or injured or they might be disappointed if not selected.

Thanks to all who helped on day one recording the results and stewarding on the course, to the many parents who came and supported the competitors, and to the Management and Staff of Belvedere for the use of the excellent grounds.

Click HERE for the results from day one.