Over the festive period the Lagan Valley juniors were busy at a number of events.
Pre Christmas, the Group went to the ever popular Victoria Parkrun and were treated to a women’s world best courtesy of Ciara Mageean’s 15.13. Ciara as always was so generous with her time and offered to warm down with several of the Group (pictured).
Back home in his native Kerry, Tommy Arthur had a brace of very good runs. On Boxing Day Tommy (pictured) stepped out at the hotly contested Farranfore 5k and was rewarded with 5th place in an excellent new PB of 15.43 - Tommy followed this up on New Years Day with a 2nd place finish at a blustery and rain swept Star of the Laune 10k coming home in a new mark of 33.47 - well done Tommy!
Also on Boxing Day at the Brockagh Bay 5k, Scott Owen finished first junior in the 14-16 category (6th overall) in 17.20, while across the water new recruit James Askew contested the Chevin Chase near Leeds covering the 11k+ route with circa 850 feet of elevation in a very good average pace @ just over 4km/min.
Sandwiched in between these events, the club were well represented at the Christmas Cracker (Castlewellan) where Jack McCausland and Oisin McGloin teamed up for a 6th place finish, while on New Year’s Eve we had over 20 from the club contest the 3k and 5k at the Expleo Running Festival at Belfast’s Harbour Estate.
Among a number of notable performances and PBs, first home for the Group (7th overall), was Stephen Lyster in 15.50 and 2 of our girls, both of whom were returning from injury, recorded podium places; Marianne Doherty (3rd - pictured) with 17.47 in the 5k and Chloe Young 1st female in 3k with 10.44.
It’s been a fabulous year for the Lagan Junior Endurance Group and I am filled with optimism as we head into 2024 - watch this space!