The first day of the Leinster Cross Country Championships took place on Sunday, with over 1,300 athletes in action across the day.
Hosted by athletics Louth, the competition took place in Bellurgan, in what can only be described as true cross country conditions.
Torrential downpours from the outset made for very challenging conditions underfoot, with many a running shoe falling victim to the muddy trail.
The day began with a non-championship race for the u10s, and young Boyne AC athlete, Finbar Fagan ran a super race to finish well up the pack.
In the u12 girls 2,000m race, Isabelle Winters, running out of age, ran a strong race to finish 42nd overall from a field of 133, with club-mates Ellie Russell, Ellen Boylan, Robyn Reilly and Cara Fagan all running well also.
Young Eoin McEntee continues to impress as he ran a super race to finish 22nd in a field of 120 athletes, his strong performance saw him finish as the 3rd Louth athlete home, and with Louth taking the 4th county place, they now qualify for the All Ireland Cross Country Championships due to take place in November.
Ellen Boylan (68) working hard in the u12 girls race.
Another young athlete who continues to impress, Shauna Rice, ran a great race in the girls u14 event, as the rain grew heavier with every stride over the tough 3,000m distance.
Naoise McAvinia had 4,000m to contend with in the u14 boys race, and with the ground a veritable mud fest at this stage, it was tough going for the 87 athletes competing in this age group, undeterred by the pouring rain, Naoise gave it his all, and finished in a super 38th place overall.
