Five star Jonny notches yet another Twin Peaks victory

GRACEHILL’S Jonny Steede continued his dominance of Glenravel Festival’s Twin Peaks Cross Country when he won the popular Credit Union sponsored event for the fifth time in a row.

With 2007 winner Jonathan McCloy returning to the event, hopes were high that Steede’s dominance would be challenged, but the Ballymena Runners clubman was having none of it.

He led from the gun to the tape and never looked in any danger of losing his title, finishing with a personal best time which has only been beaten by record holder Rasto Nadjek who spread eagled the field in 2007.

There was more of a battle for the minor places with McCloy taking second and holding off the challenge of former Glens Runner Emmet McAllister.

Up and coming athlete Shaun O’Boyle finished a fine fourth while young under 15 entrant Conor McAllister was fifth, one place better than last year – a brilliant performance.

The real star of the show, however, was young local girl Rachel Brown who was the first female home in 11th place.

The 12 year old walked away with her category prize and is definitely an up and coming star of the future, being the current Northern Ireland Schools Cross Country champion.

The veterans’ prize was lifted by Glenwherry’s Colin Hoey as the Ballymena Runner finished in an excellent sixth overall to beat Brian McAuley into second place.

A superb performance by Margaret Scanlon took the lady veterans’ award in front of Mary Duffin.

The first Senior local home was Peter McToal closely followed by Connor Reid while Catherine McQuillan claimed the Local Ladies class.

RESULTS

Open - male: 1. Jonny Steede; 2. Jonathan McCloy.

Open - female: 1. Treacy Gillan.

Local - male: 1. Peter McToal; 2. Connor Reid.

Local - female: 1. Catherine McQuillan.

Veteran - male: 1. Colin Hoey; 2. Brian McAuley.

Veteran - female: 1. Margaret Scanlon; 2. Mary Duffin.

Under-18 - male: 1. Shaun O’Boyle.

Under-15 - boys: 1. Conor McAllister; 2. Kane McIlroy.

Under-15 - girls: 1. Rachel Brown; 2. Ellen Hynds.

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