All systems go for athletics after thaw

Track training at the sports complex returned last night. The green grass of Gransha was busy so it's all systems go for a busy period of competitive action.

The action kicks off this Friday at 1.30pm in St Columb's Park with race two in the local Primary Schools cross country league. A dozen or so schools are expected to participate with up to 300 boys and girls set to line up for the 1000 metre races.

Race one at the Sports Complex in mid December attracted 260 runners from eleven schools. St Patrick's Primary School won the girls and St Eithne's PS won the boys team honours on the day. Chloe Harrigan of Holy Family PS and Christopher McLaughlin of Long Tower PS took the respective individual wins last month after two very hotly contested races and more of the same is expected on Friday.

The third and final race in the league will bring the young runners back to the Sports Complex on Friday week, January 29. The Foyle Cup for the best overall school is up for grabs.

Race numbers will be available for collection in St Columb's Park Leisure Centre from 12.30pm on Friday. Teachers should ensure their runners are in attendance in good time for the 1.30pm start.

On Saturday Antrim's Greenmount Agricultural College will host the 33rd staging of the International cross country. City of Derry's Gregory Roberts is in the NI squad for the senior mens 9000 mile race.

Roberts will hopefully be recovered from a recent hamstring pull. He expects to use the run as valuable preparation for the NI/Ulster Senior in mid February and could be joined in the line up by clubmate Kieron Hurley who may go in the Open Race.

Several local masters will go in the vets race: among them are Dermot Connolly, Seamas McAnaney and Oran McBride.

There is Indoor track and field action in Glasgow's Kelvin Hall this weekend with a few Spartans travelling. Talented 400/800m male master Robert Bigger will travel for the vets events and should go well in his age group, as should top multi event specialist Dinea Herron in the Masters Pentathlon.

Looking ahead, Stranorlar is the venue on Saturday 30th January for the postponed NI/Ulster Junior and Masters cross country championships. The local Spartans will have a serious interest in all four championships on offer.

Declan Reed leads the Junior Men's squad and after his runners up spot behind North Belfast's Michael McKillop in Moira last Saturday he is viewed as a potential individual medallist in Stranorlar.

Colin Roberts fronts the Male Mastres challenge for the Red Vests and he too is a prime individual medal contender with Damien McGinty, Seamas McAnaney, Paul McCafferty and Christy McMonagle all serious bets for age group honours.

Marina Campbell won the Novice individual championship at Killybegs in November and could medal again in Stranorlar while female masters age groupers Jacqueline McGinley, Bridgeen Byrne, Anne Paul and Roisin Lynch will also be sure to feature.

Finally, Declan Reed's fine run for second at the Moira four mile cross country last Saturday wasn't the only notable local performance. Aaron Doherty 5th and Emmet McGinty 7th also ran well as did Junior Athlete the promising JP Williamson Kevin Carlin and Michael Finnegan, the latter making good progress on his way back to full fitness.