SUNDAY'S Irish life Health National Senior Cross Country Championships at Abbotstown will have a reduced entry from the north on account of the unfortunate clash of dates with the Joe Seeley 10k Road Race in Belfast on Saturday.
Men’s defending champion Mick Clohisey is a confirmed entry, but the women’s winner from last year is racing elsewhere. The event also serves as trials for Ireland’s teams for the European Cross Country in Chia, Corsica on December 11.
Ulster athletes Kerry O’Flaherty, Danielle Fegan and Ann-Marie McGlynn will all have hopes of selection for the Europeans, while North Down and Letterkenny can make an impact in the club competition.
Mick Clohisey has been the king of domestic cross country in recent years and will be keen to defend his title. Annadale Strider Paul Pollock will be hoping to have recovered from a tough half marathon in Delhi last weekend to make an assault on a podium place.
The Annadale Strider suffered with the pollution in India and tweeted after the race: “Tough morning in the office in Delhi. Lungs were struggling as finished in 64:43. Least I've chance to get back on course next week.”
The national even age group championships are appended to the programme meaning that an exciting day of racing is in prospect with over 2,000 juveniles and 700 senior athletes in action.
