NI and Ulster Senior Track and Field Championships 2026

The day’s action began with the Flahavan’s Primary Schools 1000m races, which produced some exciting competition. The girls’ race was incredibly close, with less than half a second separating the first four athletes. Dearbhla Mullan and Saorlaith Shields shared first place after both clocking 3:29.86, while Katie O’Kane followed closely behind in 3:30.30.

In the boys’ race, Jackson Nellins held off Jay Foster to claim victory, with Seth Millikin taking third place. Nellins recorded an impressive winning time of 3:12.19 to round off an excellent start to the championships.

The standout performance on the track came from St Peter’s AC athlete Dearbhla Allen in the women’s 3000m steeplechase. Leading from gun to tape, Allen delivered a superb personal best of 10:25.69, dipping just under the qualifying standard for this summer’s World U20 Championships in Oregon.

One of the most anticipated races of the weekend, the men’s 800m, certainly lived up to expectations. Nick Griggs (CNDR) faced off against Andrew Thompson (North Belfast Harriers) and James Gormley (Carmen Runners) in a thrilling contest. Griggs made his decisive move with 180 metres remaining, opening a gap that the field could not close as he powered to victory in 1:52.12. Thompson secured silver, while Dylan McBride, who had set the early pace, was rewarded with the bronze medal.

Callum Morgan (CNDR) produced a commanding display in the men’s 1500m. After taking the lead at 700 metres, Morgan controlled the race to claim the title in 3:56.65 ahead of Oisin Toye (Finn Valley AC) and Tom Fleming (CNDR).

The women’s sprint events also produced impressive performances. Jenna Breen (City of Lisburn AC) came out on top in the women’s 200m, clocking a personal best of 23.90. Michelle Duggan finished second, while fellow relay international Arlene Crossan (Finn Valley AC) took third in 24.12.

The men’s 100m provided arguably the closest finish of the championships. Derek Woha (Speed Development Project TC) edged Ballymena and Antrim’s Craig Newell by just four thousandths of a second, with both athletes officially credited with 11.03. Adam Sykes (OrangeGrove AC) claimed bronze in 11.09, while fourth and fifth places could not be separated, both athletes receiving the same time of 11.34.

In the field events, Anna Galvin (Lambay Sports and Athletics) produced one of the performances of the weekend in the women’s discus, winning by over sixteen metres with a throw of 54.42m. Finn O’Neill (Lifford and Strabane AC) claimed the men’s discus title with 39.13m.

Anna McCauley also showed strong form, finishing runner-up in the women’s javelin with 37.82m behind Ulster Schools champion Carys Carlisle (Ballymena and Antrim AC). McCauley added another silver medal in the shot put with 11.95m, finishing behind double Irish Schools champion Caoimhe Gallen (Lifford Strabane AC), who threw 12.34m. Caoimhe also secured victory in the hammer with a best throw of 52.48m.

The jumps events featured several notable performances. Seventeen-year-old Jude Glover (Lagan Valley AC) produced a massive personal best of 1.90m to win the men’s high jump, while former World Junior medallist Summer Leckey took victory in the women’s event with a clearance of 1.70m.