Another competitive weekend for athletes

Tomorrow’s (Saturday) Moira cross country meeting at the County Down venue and the local North West Tri club’s latest Winter 5K Series race from the Foyle Marina on Sunday are the competitive options this weekend.
Scott Rankin of Foyle Valley A.C.Scott Rankin of Foyle Valley A.C.
Scott Rankin of Foyle Valley A.C.

Both events should see local interest with Sunday’s action set to pull another good turnout from the City and environs.

It’s a 10am, start as usual with entries taken pre-race.

The Moira race may well also attract some attention locally, as a useful lead in race before the NI/Ulster Junior and Masters cross country championships, set for Lurgan on Saturday, January 25th next.

Some of the Foyle Valley squads preparing for Lurgan may have an interest in Moira and indeed a few Spartans may also fancy a run out prior to the January 25th championships.

The City of Derry Spartans’ almost forgotten athlete, Richard Johnston, apparently has recently found a more sports-friendly job and is reputed to be back in regular training with a view to racing before the end of the cross country season.

The Foyle Valley Junior men’s squad will be among the favourites for team honours in Lurgan after losing out in a fiercely fought three cornered battle with winners, City of Derry and Donegal club Finn Valley.

The Spartans have only Connor Doherty still eligible from the 2013 squad.

And therefore the Red Vests probably can be ruled out of medal contention this time.

However, hopefully their City rivals can keep the much coveted War Memorial Trophy on the banks of the Foyle for another year. More on this in the lead up to the event.

Meanwhile with six of the eight races now gone in the 2013/14 ANI Winter Cross Country League it’s the local Spartans comfortably leading the Men’s standings from North Down with North Belfast, Springwell and Foyle Valley chasing the top two.

Another comprehensive win last weekend in Antrim has given the locals almost 30 points to spare at the top of the table.

A minimum points haul from the remaining races, Enniskillen on February 8th and Stormont on February 22nd would clinch a successful defence of the title and that seems a given.

Springwell continue the North West success story in the Women’s League standings, topping the table some 15 points ahead of the Spartans with North Down and North Belfast chasing.

The Coleraine triangle based club look set to take their lead all the way to February 22nd as they have turned out with both quality and quantity at all the six races to date.

Related topics: