ATHLETICS: Cross country season begins for East Coast AC

East Coast juniors enjoy the cross country event at Seacourt. INLT 42-914-CON

Thirty athletes turned out for the East Coast AC junior 800m cross country race last Saturday.

After a fast start, it was junior club captain McManus who was able to hold on to the pace, crossing the line in first in a time of 3:02.

The in-form Charlie Patterson was next to finish, clocking 3:16, before Jay Mackness claimed the final podium spot in 3:23.

Clements led the way in the girls’ race, taking first in a time of 3:29. Katie Ewings and Charlotte Dean had a sprint finish across the line in a time of 3:31, however it was Katie who edged forward first, taking second with Charlotte settling for third.

Other times: Hannah O’Toole 3:32, Lucy O’Toole 3:32, Erin Scott 3:38, Kian McAllister 3:42, Curtis Robertson 3:44, Carrie Burleigh 3:53, Lois Scott 3:55, Daniel Brennan 3:56, Alicia Kuchocha 4:07, Matilda Dean 5:23, Eimear Ward 4:24, Samantha Braniff 4:28, Mark Magee 4:34, Katie Monaghan 4:37, Keilan McManus 4:38, Maggie Deller 4:39, Rebecca Robertson 4:39, Ethan Shannon 4:53, Elys Leetch Armstrong 5:12, Darcy Leetch Armstrong 5:19, Imogen Taylor 5:28, Rachel Urwin 5:46, Alfie Urwin 5:54.

After the junior race, it was time for the seniors to take to the start line of the third race in this year’s Championship Challenge Series – a 2.7-mile cross country run in Seacourt, Larne.

Maxwell finished first in a time of 16:11. Murray Deller was rewarded for his efforts with a second-place finish in 16:48, with Corey Urwin claiming the final podium spot in 17:07 (third). Club captain Chris Davis ran well to take fourth place in a time of 18:31.

Other times: Callum Sittlington 18:50, Daniel Girvin 18:58, James Robinson 19:05, Conor Sheridan 19:25, Drew Girvin 19:42, Kenny Holmes 20:05, Alex Robertson 20:19, Karl Joyce 20:45, Keith Hetherington 21:52, Phil Smyth 22:04, Jim Scott 22:25.

Hodge was the first lady to finish in 21:49. Second place in the ladies’ category was awarded to Angela Campbell (22:21). Nikki McNeill and Catherine Maxwell swapped positions throughout the race, however it was Nikki who claimed third in 23:41. Catherine followed in 24:02 to secure fourth place.

Other times: Jackie Davidson 24:39, Lynn Magee 24:45, Sharon Kirkpatrick 25:20, Linzi Conway 26:46, Fiona Rolston 26:55, David Finlay 27:31, Sarah Girvin 28:38, Valerie Lyttle 29:14, Donna Robertson 29:14, Hazel Ritchie 29:47, Colleen Taylor 29:58, Tracey Shannon 30:48, Patricia Campbell 31:50, Rosie Kerr 38:00.