WEEKEND ROUND UP OCTOBER 18TH 2025
22 October 2025
On Sunday the 19th the Autumn Open XC was held at the Sport Ireland Campus in Abbottstown. The event was hosted by Athletics Ireland and part of the World Athletics XC Tour.
The relays were held early in the programme with Lagan Valley’s young team finishing fourth in the senior mixed event.
In the Senior women’s open race Zoe Toland (CNDR) was first of the local athletes’ home finishing in sixth place, her team-mate Aoife McGreevy was fifteenth.
Callum Morgan (CNDR) was a very impressive winner of the men’s open race. He took the lead after two kilometres and was never under threat. Training partners Lughaidh Mallon (UCD) and Conall McClean (CNDR) battled all the way with Lughaidh snatching third in the last ten metres from Conall who was fourth. Luke Kelly (CNDR) was not that far behind finishing in eighth place. Eoghan Totten (Newcastle) returning back from injury had a very encouraging run finishing just outside the top ten in eleventh place.
In the U20 men’s race Frank Buchanan (St Michaels) and Finn Diver (Beechmount) completed a one-two for our local athletes.
Conan McCaughey (NBH) was a clear winner of the master’s race.
Closer to home on Friday night North Belfast Harriers hosted the Inaugural Galloper Thompson 5k. Over six hundred athletes took to the streets around North Belfast and saw a close battle between John Craig (Annadale) and Jordan Heron (Larne). Jordan edged ahead in the last two hundred metres to win in 15.29. John was second in 15.31 and Conal McCambridge (NBH) third in 15.41. Holly Taggart (Annadale) was first woman home in 17.31 with Aimee Smyth (Galbally Runners) second in 18.06. Holly Collins (NBH) completed the podium finishing third in 18.22.