It was a packed weekend for Irish running, with eye-catching performances both on home soil and further afield. From club cross country battles in Kilbeggan to fast road times in Boston and Bordeaux, and a new world record across the Atlantic, Irish athletes were in flying form wherever they lined up.
Saturday
Donnegan and Mulhare Compete in Cardiff
At the World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold event in Cardiff on Saturday morning, two Irish athletes lined up from an initial start list of five.
Tullamore Harriers’ Daniel Donnegan produced a strong run to finish 8th after a tight sprint finish, despite not appearing in the official results. Portlaoise AC’s Mary Mulhare wasn’t far behind, coming home in 18th place, showing solid form against a top-quality field.
DCH Dominate in Kilbeggan
The Leinster Senior Cross Country Championships took place on Saturday at Kilbeggan Racecourse, Co. Westmeath, and it was a day to remember for Dublin City Harriers. The club occupied all the podium in the women’s race, with Orla Duffy taking first, Edel Monaghan second, and Lucy Holmes completing the clean sweep in third.
In the men’s event, Colm Rooney of Clonliffe Harriers took the top spot, chased home by Pierre Murchan of DCH in second and Danny Nugent of Ace Athletics in third.
O'Connor Impresses in Colorado
Saturday was rounded out in the US with a fine day for the Irish in Pueblo, Colorado, at the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Championships. Ava O’Connor and Claragh Keane helped Adams State University storm to the women’s team title with a total of 42 points.
O’Connor marked her first outing of the season with a superb run, taking second place in the women’s 6K in 20:14.7, an ideal confidence boost ahead of nationals on 22 November. Keane wasn’t far behind, finishing 14th in 21:18.1, as ASU secured their spot at the national championships in style.
Sunday
Solid Boston Performance from Keane
US-based Déise man Barry Keane turned in another strong performance on Sunday, finishing 7th at the Boston Half Marathon in a time of 63:35.
Strong Midlands Showing in Bordeaux
There were two Irish athletes in action in the south of France at the 10 km des Quais de Bordeaux. Mullingar Harriers’ Jack O’Leary ran superbly to finish second in 28:13, while his clubmate Jamie Battle clocked 29:04 for 19th place.
Jennings Smashes 100-Mile World Record
Caitríona Jennings delivered the headline performance of the weekend, setting a new women’s 100-mile world record at the Tunnel Hill 100 in Illinois. The Letterkenny AC Olympian stopped the clock at 12:37:14, averaging 7:34 per mile (4:42/km) across the distance.
The 45-year-old pocketed a $7,500 world record bonus and $1,250 for first place, slicing more than five minutes off the previous record. An extraordinary run from one of Ireland’s most enduring athletes.
From Kilbeggan to Colorado and every stop in between, Irish runners showed serious form over the weekend. With the national cross country season and winter road races gathering pace, the next few weeks promise plenty more big results, at home and abroad.
Images: Micki Colson/Colson Photography & Josh Kutcher Photography