Derry runners are expected to be among the leading challengers for honours in today’s Enniskillen XC, for the penultimate fixture of the Athletics NI Cross Country League, being hosted by Enniskillen Running Club in Necarne Estate, Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh.
Declan Reed.
Declan Reed, City of Derry Spartans and Foyle Valley AC’s Scott Rankin are tipped to play a major role in the proceedings.
Reed, the current Northern Ireland and Ulster 5k road champion, will be keen to build on his noteable outing at the Raheny 5 two weeks ago, when he covered the five mile course in 25:43.
Rankin has been one of the stand out performers in the Athletics NI XC League so far, after securing runners-up places at the Coleraine XC, the North West XC and the Malcolm Cup XC.
The Northern Ireland and Ulster 5,000m (track) and 5k (road) silver medallist also finished just outside the prizes at the McConnell Shield XC (fifth place), but will be hopeful of making another podium appearance in Enniskillen today.
In the team event, City of Derry are determined to hold on to top spot so are expected to field a strong field which will mean the likes of Greg Roberts, James Brown, Emmett McGinty and Gary Slevin starting alongside Reed.
Foyle Valley AC, who are all still in the mix, are expected to include Pius McIntyre, Adrian McGowan and Chris McGuinness in their line-up.
Sarah Lindsay (Foyle Valley AC) and Marina Campbell (City of Derry AC) are expected to challenge for honours in the ladies’ event.
Campbell has been involved at the front end of every race in the cross country league she has entered so far, with her most impressive display coming at the McConnell Shield XC in which she finished well to beat Gemma Turley to third place.
She has also impressed on the roads, she won the “Run in the Dark” 5k in 20:02
In the ladies’ team event, Lindsay will be fielded by a strong Foyle Valley AC contingent that could include Trish McClintock, Martina McMullan and Denise McElhone.
Tags:
