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QUB AC Ladies Crowned National Road Relay Champions

24 April 2017

QUB AC Ladies Crowned National Road Relay Champions

Queen’s University AC ladies were crowned National Senior Road Relay Championships at this weekend’s Irish Life AAI National Road Relay Championships in Dublin (Sunday 23rd April 2017).

Outstanding performances by Sinead Sweeney, Emma Mitchell and Rebecca Henderson, all coached by Eamonn Christie, saw them secure gold in an exciting race.  Defending Champions Leevale AC were expected to dominate proceedings and were in the mix early on, but an excellent opening leg from Sinead set things up nicely for Emma, who put QUB in front going into the final leg – Rebecca marked her return from injury with a strong run to seal victory in an overall time of 20:58 (1st place) for 4 miles.  UCD AC claimed 2nd place in 21:04, with Letterkenny AC completing the podium in 21:15 (3rd place).

Northern Ireland and Ireland international Ann-Marie McGlynn blasted Letterkenny AC to the Masters Ladies title in a new record of 22:32 (1st place) for 4 miles.  Strabane based Ann-Marie was ably assisted by Irene McFadden and Monica McGranaghan.

Finn Valley AC also picked up medals, with their Vet35 Men securing silver and Vet50 Ladies taking bronze.

In other news…

Lagan Valley AC’s Andrew Monaghan sealed an outstanding victory at the 35th annual Cherry Creek Sneak 10 mile race (Sunday 23rd April 2017) in Denver, Colorado (USA).  After making up part of a front running trio for much of the race, the Northern Ireland man surged clear in the final 800 metres to break the tape in 55:22 (1st place).

Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games pair Leon Reid (Coach: James Hillier) and Jason Harvey (Coach: Nick Dakin) have also been in competition this week.  Birchfield Harriers athlete Leon was in action at the Control Extaordinaro D.M.A in Torremolinos (Spain).  He ran 47.13 for 400m and 21.25 (-3.8) for 200m, taking 1st place in both races.  Meanwhile, Jason was competing in the 400m hurdles at the USF Collegiate Invitational Track & Field Meeting in Florida (USA) – he clocked 52.22 for 2nd place.

Closer to home, John Craig (Victoria Park & Connswater AC) and Heather Foley (Unattached) claimed top honours at the Ballynahinch 10k, after running 33:38 and 38:28 respectively.  At the Run Armagh 10k, Stephen O’Gorman (Dromore AC) won in 34:14, while Louise Smith (North Belfast Harriers) took the ladies title in 39:06.

Photo Credit:  Athletics Ireland