Another top race display from Rachel

While the international attention was focused on European Champion Fionnuala Britton and defence of her title, closer to home Ballymena Academy Year 8 pupil Rachel was focusing on her own race and how she would perform among the field of many top athletes from England and Scotland and Ireland who made the trip to compete in the prestigious event.

Rachel and her fellow competitors kicked off the proceedings with the first race.

The Under 13 girls faced one 1800m lap of the challenging course. Right from the start Rachel attacked the course to be out ahead of the strong field and alongside the eventual winner Katy-Ann McDonald from Herne Hill Harriers in south London. Rachel ran an excellent race with complete focus and concentration to finish second.

This is a superb start to 2013, with Rachel improving once again on the great form she had at the end of last year to beat those who had placed ahead of her in the All Irelands in November.

She is now looking forward to the Ulster Schools Cross Country which will see District C and Ballymena Academy compete at University of Ulster Coleraine on 5th Feb 2013.

Another highlight of the day was meeting Fionnuala Britton who took time to talk to Rachel and to pose for a photo with her.