The 2021 Leinster Cross Country Championships got underway at the weekend, with the even-age athletes in action.
Hosted by St. Senan’s Athletics club, the action for day one took place in the beautiful surrounds of Mountain View in Kilkenny, and in true cross country style, the course was mucky, hilly and tough!
Getting things off to a great start for Boyne AC was young Isabelle Winters, competing in the u10 non-championship race, where she showed her super running abilities to finish in second place.
The girls u12 were first to the start line for the championship proper, and with 156 athletes in this race, the challenge was mighty from the outset.
Up and coming Boyne AC athlete, Dara Ellie Winters Schiopu did not let the magnitude of the task deter her and, from the starting gun, she was right up there with the leading pack.
A strong run over the 2,000m distance, solidly working her way through the positions, saw Dara finish in a superb fifth place overall, which also qualifies her for the upcoming All Ireland final.
Dara was also part of the winning county team, with Louth boasting five athletes out of the top 12 finishers.
