SIAB Schools International XC 2026 – International Debut by Antonio Bertolo (21st Mar)

Faenol Estate in Bangor, Wales provided a dry, technical, undulating course for the SIAB Schools XC Championships on a warm sunny day on Saturday 21st March that was a welcome change from the wet, muddy season to date. Mullingar Harriers was represented by Antonio Bertolo and Lily Walsh on the Irish Schools team.

Antonio (Colaiste Mhuire) was making his International debut racing in the Junior boys 4,000m race. There are no easy races at this level of competition and from the gun the pace was fast throughout. Opting for a steady approach over the long hilly course, Antonio sprinted to a good position and then worked his way through the field as the race progressed. A great run saw Antonio finish fourth of the eight Irish athletes in twentieth place overall. Although it was a day to remember for Antonio, the Irish team was unfortunate to miss out on medals by the tiny margin of just 4 points.

Lily (Loreto Mullingar) ran the first leg in the 4 x 1,500m Mixed Intermediate Relay. A sensible start put Lily on the shoulder of the leader for the first 500m but she went to the front on the most technical climb and descent. Lily upped the tempo as the girls hit the last climb and opened a gap of 20m on second place to give the Irish team a great advantage going into the second leg. Ireland dropped to third place before the second handover was complete but Lily’s teammate ran a very strong third leg to regain second place. It was there the Irish team would finish, winning a well-deserved set of silver medals. This was Lily’s second SIAB cross country and matches the silver she won last year in Falkirk.

Congratulations to Antonio and Lily on a successful International trip with the Irish Schools team. Having two members of the club on an international team is a huge achievement and a huge credit to the athletes, their coaches and the club.

Now that Antonio has made his International debut for Ireland, his name will be added to the International Roll of Honour in the Clubhouse, the one hundred and thirty fifth name on the marble wall plaque [CW].