Jim Patteron Strikes Gold as NI Claim Impressive Medal Haul
21 November 2017
World M70 Masters Mountain Running Champion Jim Patterson (Newcastle AC) struck gold as Northern Ireland secured a plethora of individual and team medals at the British & Irish Masters XC International XC in Derry / Londonderry on Saturday 18th November 2017.
Locally based athletes who represented Ireland also impressed, with Paddy Hamilton (Slieve Gullion Runners) and Declan Reed (City of Derry AC) claiming podium places.
Newcastle AC star Jim has been in exceptional form this year, both in the mountains and over the country; over what was a traditional cross country course, he retained his British & Irish Masters International XC M70 title in style. Jim covered the 6k in 26:00 – this was enough to see him lead his Northern Ireland team, which included Tony Gray and David Seaton to 3rd place and the associated bronze medal.
In the same race, City of Derry AC’s Hannah Shields took 2nd place in the F50 category, crossing the line in 25:03. Hannah’s performance guided her team, which included Grainne Neill and Penny Lindsay to 2nd place in the team standings. Northern Ireland’s M45 ladies, Amanda Perry, Jackie McMonagle, Martina McMullan and Niamh O’Connell also picked up a bronze medal in the team competition.
Northern Ireland’s M75 team also started the day well, taking 3rd place in the team competition. The team was made up of Jim Platt, Hugh Young, Michael Gilmore and Ivan Baxter.
City of Derry AC Spartan Declan Reed was in top form as he secured a 3rd place finish overall in Race 3 – 8k (M35-M45); this was enough to see Declan take 3rd place in the M40 category in 26:33.
For Northern Ireland, Foyle Valley AC’s Chris McGuinness produced the performance of his life to claim a bronze medal in the M35 race. Showing true grit in the latter stages, Chris led the NI team home, taking 3rd place, covering the 8k in 26:58 – Chris and his M35 team mates Allan Bogle, Jonny Steede, Steven McAlary, Stephen Cassidy and Martin Cox collected silver medals after finishing in 2nd place in the team standings. Slieve Gullion Runners’ Paddy Hamilton (Ireland), took 2nd place in the M35 race in 26:39.
Northern Ireland’s Eamonn White, Gary Henderson, Justin Reed, Gavin Mc Dermott and Nigel McKibbin all ran well to take 3rd place in the M45 team competition. There were also team medals for Northern Ireland’s M50 (3rd place – Bronze: Neil Carty, Duncan Bell, Philip Tweedie, James Turtle, Paul LeBlanc and Frank Sharkey) and M55 (2nd place – Silver: David Clarke, Noel Connor, James Wallace and Lawrence Johnstone) teams in what was arguably one of Northern Ireland’s most successful outings in the prestigious fixture in its 30 year history.
Full results for the event are available HERE (https://nirunning.co.uk/results-ni-running/).