Youngsters and veterans were the best of the local athletes at the national championship held at Kilcornan, Clarenbridge, on Sunday.
Despite the wintry conditions, the athletes produced storming runs to take their place on the podium at the event which included juvenile relays, B championships, and the intermediate and masters cross country championships,.
At juvenile level, Galway secured team medals in the U11 boys' race, with Tuam AC winning gold. The team comprised Cian Halligan, who was sixth overall, Ross Mitchell, Oisin Kelly and Darragh Kenny. William Fitzgerald of Craughwell AC was a class apart in the U17 boys' race, leading all the way to claim victory.
At Masters' level, the indomitable Martin McEvilly of Galway City Harriers secured yet another national title, winning gold in the men's over 65 category, and also leading the Galway men’s over 65 team to second team overall. Christine Kennedy of GCH won bronze at V60 level in the women's race, while Gary Higgins, also GCH, won silver at V40. One of the performances of the day came from Niamh Hennelly of GCH, who finished sixth overall in the hugely competitive masters' women's race.
Some 1,200 athletes competed at the event.
European Clubs
The Galway City Harriers junior men’s cross country team produced a superb ninth place finish at the European Clubs Cross Country Championships in Portugal on Sunday.
All five ran strongly in their first European outing in a hugely competitive field of 13 teams.
First home for Galway was Thomas Mc Stay in 28th, one place ahead of Eanna Folan in 29th, Aaron Brennan was next home in 42nd, with Gary Martyn fourth scorer in 59th, and Michael Healy fifth man home for GCH in 65th.
The race was fast from the gun with a victory for Spanish athlete Aaron Las Heras, with defending champions Castellon of Spain retaining their team title.
Gort 5km
Some 175 athletes competed in South Galway AC's 5km road race in Gort on Sunday. Colm Turner of Limerick AC took the honours in a fast time of 16.20, with Mairtin Grealish of Ennis Track second, and Luke Evans of Craughwell third. The fastest woman of the day was Sinéad Brody of Galway City Harriers in a time of 18.38.
University Indoors
NUIG athletics team secured a number of medals at the recent University Indoor Championships in Athlone IT. Pride of place went to the women's 4x200m relay team which won gold. The squad comprised Sarah Quinn, Nicole King Walsh, Ciara Barry and Sinéad Treacy. Damien Landers won silver in the 3000m race, running 8.23, while Shane Parle also claimed the silver medal in the high jump.
