Lots of trailblazing action was the theme for Day 4 of the Galway Cross Country Series in Merlin Woods last Saturday.
Run Republic caught up with organiser Sean McDermott of Tribal Running to talk about how Day 4 of the series went and what is to come in the final two weeks!
'We had some very happy first timers who ran in the Fun Country Race, which featured 2 laps of 300m with a up and down roller coaster effect that really excited the 6 to 10year olds and really shook up the parents who accompanied them!
'We then had the 2km Short Course Race featuring 2 x 1.2km laps on a trail course with a mixture of carpet like rolling forest trail and some flat fast main gravel trail.'
'Aaron Lennon marked his series debut with a win after a great battle with Tiernan Lee, both of Castlegar AC. Ruby Coyne, Castlegar AC, took a third victory in the series and was also third overall showing Dad Pat Coyne a clean pair of heels in the finishing straight!
'In the long course 4 lap Race Naoise Metadjer(1st) and Eoin Staunton, ATU/Castlegar AC(2nd) built an early lead over the first 2 laps with Pah Clark in Pursuit followed by a trio of Ray Clarke, Seán Small and Gabriel Walsh who had the battle of the day over the 4 laps with Ray (3rd) (see featured image) pulling away on the last few hills.
'Clodagh Egan marked her series debut with a great run and victory, with Sarah McNamara and Phyllis Barret filling out the ladies podium.'
The series has been a hit in the West and has become an important date in the racing calendar, with Sean highlighting the need for activity in the early months of the year. 'It is hugely important to give people race options in the December to March period.'
The Galway Cross Country Series now takes a short break and will continue on Saturday February 17th with a full cross country course, with the new course and venue at the ATU pitch across from the ATU Dublin Road Campus in Galway.
Week 6 and the conclusion of the series takes place on March 2nd at Rosshill Park where a very exciting course puts a bow on the successful Galway event.
You can enter on the morning of both Week 5 and Week 6 of the event.