Lynch wins at at Cookstown

Lynch wins at at Cookstown

23 November 2016

THE weekend of racing started last Wednesday with the Run In The Dark 5k and 10k at the Stormont Estate. 

One thousand and seventy eight runners completed the 5k and 1,150 finished the 10k race. Newcastle’s Zak Hanna led the field home in a speedy 34:57 to win with a bit to spare.

Saturday saw the action move to Annalong and Cookstown. Danny O’Boyle replaced his cycle shoes for Solomons as the only NAC competitor in the Running4Rescue 10m race.  

Danny turned in a great performance, coming home 22nd in 75:52.  William Hanna of Mourne Runners was first home in 57:08. In the 10k race NAC’s Ronan Barr finished a commendable fifth (45:46), behind winner Niall Mooney (36:57).

NAC mustered a female team for the first time this year and travelled to Cookstown for the Acorns Mighty Oaks XC meeting. Jessica Craig won the race in 19:17. 

Newcastle scored consistently with Joanne Mills ninth (21:18), Mari Troeng 12th (21:54), Megan McGreevy 32nd (24:17) and Lady XC captain Sam McNeilly 33rd (24:22). 

Despite this race not being a targeted event for the men, Seamus Lynch made the trip in splendid isolation and was rewarded with an emphatic victory.  

He crossed the line in the four mile race in 22:43, over a minute ahead of the second place man, Paul Barbour, of City of Derry Track Club (23:45).

Next week is the Seeley Cup, one of the most important races of the year. Newcastle has 21 entered for the sold out race and as ever there will be plenty to race for.

With PBs up for grabs, bragging rights in the balance and the now mandatory pundit challenge to be won all will be fair in club love and war in the week ahead. Good luck to all racing.