Mark McKinstry and Jessica Craig win Penultimate Round of Athletics NI XC League at Stormont
05 February 2018
Jessica Craig at the recent IAAF Antrim International XC.
Northern Ireland senior international athletes Mark McKinstry (North Belfast Harriers) and Jessica Craig (North Down AC) ran out victorious as a record breaking crowd took on the penultimate race of the Athletics NI XC League 2017/18, the Stormont XC in Belfast (Saturday 3rd February 2018).
The well organised event, hosted by Northern Ireland Civil Service AC, took place within the ground of the famous Estate – a junior race programme ensured that there was a race for everyone.
In the men’s 4.4 mile race, there was an excellent battle between eventual winner Mark McKinstry and Foyle Valley AC’s Chris McGuinness, a man who has impressed over the country this season. In the end, Mark edged it, crossing the line in 23:36 for 1st place. Chris claimed 2nd place in 23:43, with another Northern Ireland international, Conan McCaughey (Derry Track Club), securing 3rd place in 24:27.
In the ladies and Vet60+ men’s event (3.3 miles), Jessica Craig saw off a strong challenge from newly crowned NI & Ulster Masters XC Champion Catherine Diver (Beechmount Harriers), to win. Jessica crossed the line in 20:35 (1st place), with Catherine following seven seconds later in 20:42 (2nd place) – just three second later, Ciara Toner (Springwell RC) completed the ladies podium in 20:45 (3rd place).
Norman Mawhinney of Ballydrain Harriers led the field home in the Vet60+ men’s category, recording 22:03 (1st place) for the distance.
In the earlier junior races, there were wins for Finlay Mayne (Loughview AC), Rebecca Moore (City of Lisburn AC), Jack McCausland (City of Lisburn AC), Katie McCleery (City of Lisburn AC), Cameron McCaughey (Loughview AC), Claragh Keane (DMP AC Wexford), Jake Rushby (North Down AC) and Hannah Gilliland (Willowfield Harriers).
Up next…
The final round of the Athletics NI XC League 2017/18 will be at the NI & Ulster Senior XC Championships on Saturday 24th February 2018.
Online entries for the event close on Tuesday 13th February 2018 at 12pm, while the facility to purchase a late entry will close on Wednesday 14th February 2018 at 5pm.