WEEKEND ROUND UP 24-25TH OF JANUARY 2026
26 January 2026
It was a hugely impressive weekend for local athletes both at home and abroad, with record-breaking performances on the track, personal bests across the board, and hard-fought titles decided in testing cross-country conditions. From standout runs in Boston to championship success in Lurgan Park, it was a weekend that showcased depth, resilience, and top-class form.
Nick Griggs' (CNDR AC) 2026 indoor campaign got off to a great start. Running in the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix 3000m he finished fourth in 7.32.79 which was a qualifying time for the World Indoor Championships to be held in Poland in March. This time was also a NI senior record and an Irish U23 record.
Also racing in Boston, but at the nearby Boston University Indoor facility, Callum Morgan (CNDR AC) won the Bruce Lehane Scarlet and White invite 3000m in a pb of 7.55.82. Training partner Lughaidh Mallon (UCD) finished second in a pb of 7.56.38.
Also in the States, at the Stan Scott Invitational, Lauren Roy (Fast Twitch AC) continued her good run of form by bettering her NI 60m indoor record from last week running 7.23. She followed that up with an outstanding run in the 200m running 22.89 which places her second on the Irish all-time list behind Rhasidat Adeleke
There was also a win for Niamh Carr (DCH) at the Meeting Moniz Pereira 2000m in a pb of 6.01.91.
Closer to home at the National Indoor Arena, Rachel McCann (North Down AC) had an excellent win in the 400m running 52.89, which was a pb for her.
Locally, the annual NI and Ulster Intermediate and Master’s cross-country championships were held at Lurgan Park. The heavy rainfall during the week made underfoot conditions challenging but did not detract from a great afternoon of racing.
The master’s races started off the days program, which ended with individual wins for Elisoa Crawford (North Belfast Harriers), Pamela Kirk (Roadrunners AC), Conan McCaughey (North Belfast Harriers) and John Black (North Belfast Harriers). North Belfast Harriers won both the team races.
In the Intermediate Championships, Emily Ritchie (North Belfast Harriers) won the women’s title and Mindaugas Balciaukis (Monaghan Town Runners) won the men’s. The women’s team title was won by Trafelta with North Down winning the men’s team title.