The annual Ras na hEireann took place in its new venue in Lawlesstown, Dunleer on Sunday last, with Dunleer A.C. the hosts of this ever-popular event.
The new venue made for a tough course, complete with muck and hills, true cross country racing. Getting the day underway, the u9s had 500m to run, with Ruby Winters of Boyne AC having a great run over the challenging course.
In the boys race, Malachy Brodigan ran a super race to finish ninth overall, with Conor Hughes in 15th and Rasmus Fangerau in 18th, while competing in his first race for the club, Broda O’Hare had a great run, with the four boys finishing 4th team overall.
In the u11 girls race, Caitlin Hughes ran well to finish in the middle of the pack, while in the boys race, Will Gow had a super run over the tough 1,000m distance to finish 15th overall, with clubmates Malcom Fitzgerald and Maitiu Byrne also running well.
The u13s had an extra 500m to run, with Isabelle Winters, running out of age, finishing just outside the top 10, in 11th place overall. Robyn Reilly ran a great race to finish in 19th, followed closely by teammates Ellie Russell and Harriet Fitzgerald.
Boyne ACs medal winner came in the u13 boys race, with Eoin McEntee having the race of his life finishing in third position overall. A gutsy run from this young man saw him finish strongly amongst a field of 57 runners, earning himself a well-deserved bronze medal. Also running well over the 1,500m distance, Riley Byrne finished in 21st position.
Shauna Rice gave it her all in the girls u15 race, holding her form over the gruelling 2,500m distance, where she finished in a very creditable 15th place overall.
Third in the boys under 13 race was Eoin McEntee while Shauna Rice ran well in the under 15nat the Ras na hÉireann.
In the boys race, Seamus Keenan finished in a super 11th place, with teammates Evan Gamble and brother Padriac Keenan running well also.
The final juvenile race of the day saw Oisín O’Donoghue try his hand at long distance cross country running, as he ran well over the tough 4,000m distance.
In the adults race, the men’s event saw the competitors battle it out over a long 6,000m distance, with Rob Fitzgerald making his cross country debut, running well and finishing in 5th place in his age category.
