25.11.2019
National Evens XC Race Report
A massive well done to all 15 of our athletes who competed yesterday in the National even ages XC in Abbottstown. Each one of the Bray contingent ran their hearts out for club, county and province. First to race were the U12 girls - Roisin Murray, Catherine O’Neill, Kate Hanly and Kripa Kissanthomas. The girls put in an outstanding effort and were justly rewarded with team silver for Bray, which is a first for our club at national level!!. Both Rosin and Catherine secured individual medals (10th and 12th Place) and were also part of the Leinster team which took gold. Kate was just outside the medals and Kripa not far behind. Their united effort won them 2nd Club team overall and for that they will all receive a silver National medal.
Next up was James Foot and Aaron Egan. Aaron placed a very impressive 58th in a field of 172, running up an age category. James Foot ran a brilliant but very tough race against very talented competition to win the first National individual Gold for Bray. He is also part of the Leinster team which took gold yesterday.
Our talented Boys U14 team of Matthew Daly, Finn Campbell, Rian Anafi-Fitzgibbon and Bobby More all finished in the middle of the very competitive national field and all within sight of each other. Three of the boys were competing for the first time at national level and Bobby was running out of age. This is a very impressive result and we have great hopes for this group of athletes as a team along with Fionn Begley who was unfortunately injured for the Leinsters and therefore couldn’t compete.
Next was the girls U16 race. Three of the girls Niamh Murray, Hannah Kelly and Eleanor Foot were running out of age and together with Hannah Foot and Ciara Murray they put in gutsy performances all around on terrain that was becoming an ever increasing sea of mud with every race. Niamh Murray (29th) fought hard to secure a top 30 position in a field of 139. Hannah Kelly (51st) and Eleanor Foot (75th) with Hannah and Ciara not far behind also put in impressive performances. The 3 younger girls will also be racing on 15th Dec in the Uneven Ages National XC in Dunboyne
Regitrations
All athletes must be registered in order to run outside. This is for the athletes own safety as we are training on the roads. If you are not registered you will not be allowed to run outside but you can remain in the hall.
Training
Tuesday training will continue in Woodbrook College tomorrow from 6.50 – 8.00pm.
Thursday training will be on the promenade in Bray, meeting at the boathouse coffee shop 7-8pm (Southern end of the prom). This session is open to all athletes born in 2008 or earlier
The Sunday run will resume this weekend and we will advise on time and venue on the Whats App groups over the coming days.
Upcoming Events
Xmas party and awards night: December 17th in Bray Bowl 7-9pm (instead of training). Please bring €5 as we will be having pizza.
Round 5 of the juvenile league will be held by Bray Runners on December 6th at 7pm in Bray Emmets Even ages
Irish Life Health National Juvenile Uneven Ages Cross Country in Cow Park, Dunboyne December 15th.
Volunteers
Thanks again to the parents who have volunteered to help out at training. Without your assistance we would not be able to keep accepting new members. We will keep the appeal going for parental assistance, every week we keep growing with 108 registered juveniles with the club and in order to maintain the smooth running of our training sessions we need help. You do NOT have to be a runner, all you have to do is provide encouragement and support to our young athletes. Please feel free to speak to any of our coaches about volunteering.
Good Luck!
This Saturday Nov. 30th Grainne O’Sullivan will represent Ireland when she competes in the Schools Combined International at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow. We wish Grainne the very best of luck.