Despite compelling performances by Mary Cullen and Kenya's Mike Kiegen in the Senior races and a superb tactical run by Armagh's Stephen Kerr to claim the Boys Under 17 title one was left with the feeling that Saturday's International Cross Country races at Greenmount Campus in Antrim were decidedly low key in comparison with previous years.  While there were undoubtedly star performers in every event they were significantly fewer in number than I can recall.  Keigen took the men's race by the scruff of the neck from the start and only Olympic 5000 metre finalist Juan Luis Barrios from Mexico mounted any sort of challenge to his dominance, though he too faded over the last two laps and was caught by the strong finishing English raider Andy Vernon. Stephen Scullion (North Belfast Harriers) again finished best of the NI team just has he had in Cardiff showing his liking for the grass with a notable 7th placing but with the locals struggling to field a full strength is it really surprising that other countries do not attend in depth?  Apart form Kiegen only 2 other Africans, both from Eritrea, took part, a far cry from the days when up to a dozen would be in contention throughout and would have the best from Europe and America challenging.

Sligo's Mary Cullen took a leaf out of Hayley Yelling's book to impose her will on the Ladies Open race from the gun and no one could catch her as she increased her lead with every stride to win by over 30 seconds, a performance which would have brought her European glory had she delivered it a few weeks ago in Dublin.  Perhaps the weight of expectancy took its toll then. In contrast Yelling, the winner that day, was never in serious contention and finished a distant 5th.  Meantime Anne Sandford kept the local flag flying with a strong run in the Newcastle colours – but where are all the others?

Not that I can complain about other clubs as East Down had a painfully small representation too, though those who did compete did so with some distinction. Patrick Sheridan ran well in a strong Under 13 Boys race, taking 13th place in a large field while Paddy Erskine was 34th , proof that the Thursday night sessions with the seniors is paying off. Aine McCann took an excellent 13th place   in the Under 17 Girls race and is surely returning to her best.  In the veterans race Liam Keenan improved on his performance from last week in Moira with a commendable 39th position as underfoot conditions worsened and was happy with the outcome even if he received a lukewarm reception from the after race soup.

Title of performance of the day however has to go to Ellen Erskine who finished a superb 9th in the Girls Primary Schools race, showing a mature tactical understanding beyond her years and will surely be a force to be reckoned with in the future. Clubmate Amy Godfrey finished 24th in the same race while Ellen's little brother Johnny, probably the youngest in the race, was 39th in the Primary School Boys event.

Next weekend sees the Junior and Veterans Cross Country Championships in Stranorlar, postponed from 3 weeks ago and it's unlikely that many from the local clubs will make the long journey to this far from central venue.  Next on the local scene will be the Racecourse Rollercoaster races, postponed because of the aforementioned event, on  Saturday 20 February, with Primary Schools, age Group and a Senior 5K in the unique setting of Downpatrick racecourse.  This is not a Corss Country event as all the races take place on the perimeter road so there should be no wet or muddy feet to contend with.  Entries for all races will be taken on the day.

Joe Quinn

25 January 2010