Athletics Westmeath XC 2022 – Day 2 (9th Oct)

Westmeath Cross Country concludes

Day two of the Athletics Westmeath Cross Country Championships took place in Belvedere on Sunday morning 9th October with competition for girls and boys under 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19 years and for novice, senior and master women and men. The forecast was for heavy rain but thankfully it held off for the early races for the youngest ages and it only really began to pour rain for the later races for the older juveniles and adults. No one likes getting wet, but older athletes are more used to it from training and not easily put off by it. Belvedere proved itself yet again as an excellent cross country venue and despite the rain, underfoot conditions held up and were very good for running. Entries for all races were good, especially in the adult races where there were teams from Athlone, Coralstown-Kinnegad and Mullingar. We were also delighted to see some guest runners from Longford AC and Trim AC, looking to get in some valuable competition before the Regional 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 9 race 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 in Leinster. 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.

Many of the juveniles who took part on day one the previous week were back in action again either running in their own age or moving up an age group to get in some race experience. As on day one, the competitors on day two came from all across the County and included a number of welcome newcomers, with everyone keen to perform well. All the underage races were keenly contested and the last race of the day was a combined race for girls and boys under 17 and under 19 years, and for Novice, Senior and Master women and men. All the women ran 4,000m, the older master men also ran 4,000m, the senior men ran 8,000m and the rest of the men ran 6,000m, everyone starting together and running over the same course but with different numbers of laps, and with over sixty runners racing out from the start, it was a great spectacle to watch as the large field snaked its way around the rolling hills of Belvedere.

Thanks to all who helped 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, but especially to the athletes who provided great competition.

Click HERE for the results from day two.