National Even Age Cross Country Championships

​The National Even Age Cross Country Championships was held in very muddy grounds which made for tough conditions in Santry on Sunday Nov 22nd.   Ballinasloe & District Club members performed strongly amongst extremely stiff competition on the day.

Ava McKeon who is U11 ran up an age to compete in the U12 girls 2000m. Ava put in a fantastic performance finishing in 27th position out of the 149 race participants. She was the 1st U11 girl to cross the finishing line on the day.  Ava received a National Bronze Provincial medal as she was amongst the first six home from Connacht. The Connacht girls finished behind Munster & Leinster but ahead of Ulster & Dublin City. Ava was the 4th runner home from the Connacht team and the 2nd from the Galway team. This was a marvellous result for someone out of age at National level.

Next up were the U12 boys Ballinasloe & District Athletic Club team in the 2000m.  Conor Harley & Shane Fitzpatrick both ran a great race finishing 39th & 50th respectively out of the 161 in the race.  They were the 2nd & 3rd home from the Galway team and the 7th & 8th home from the Connacht team. They were followed over the finishing line by their teammates Adam McGreal, Joseph Tierney & Adam Coyne.  Well done to the team who have all performed superbly throughout this Cross Country Season.

Brian Burke ran up an age to compete in the U18 boys 6000m. Brian put in another strong performance on the day.  He was the 3rd home from the Connacht team & the 2nd from the Galway team.

Ballinasloe & District Athletic Club would like to congratulate all of these runners for doing their club proud once again on the National stage. A special thank you to their coaches Anne Burke, Enda Jennings, Anne Fitzpatrick and Paula Harley for all their time and dedication.