It all started with the Dublin Cross Country League where across the three league events we had over 50 athletes competing. The league is a great opportunity for athletes to try out Cross Country over shorter distances before the Dublin Championships each year. Points are awarded in the league for competing in each one and then points are allocated based on your place in each race. League prizes are awarded by the Dublin Athletics Board to the top 6 in each age category over the three league events. Prizes were awarded to the following Mid Sutton athletes; 
Aria Costello -  1st in Girls U11, 
Amy May O’Neill - 5th in the Girls U12, 
Beth Reamsbottom - 1st in the Girls U15,

Tara Rose Smith - 2nd in the Girls U15.

 
Special shout out to the following athletes who competed in all three League events: Aisling McAvoy, Eoin Barry, Cal Murtagh, Adele Murphy, Orla McAvoy, Senan Hynds, Mark Reamsbottom, Siun Barry, Eva Murtagh, Mae Murphy, Ella Vogelaar, Anna Mulvaney, & Maebh Mulvaney.

 

For the first time ever, Mid Sutton entered teams in this event. We had four teams in total; U11 girls team, U12 mixed team and two U15 teams. The first national medals of the year were won by the Girls U15 team ( Katie Grace McDonnell, Aoife Murphy, Beth Reamsbottom, Tara Rose Smith) who finished in 2nd place and took the National Silver Medal.

Next up was the Dublin Even Championships. The Girls U12 Team finished in 3rd place and secured the Dublin Team Bronze Medal and qualified for the Nationals in Enniskillen. The Team was made up of Amy-May O’Neill (6th), Aria Costello (9th), Áine Cahill (23rd), Amelia Reynolds Fox (24th), Siún Barry (29), Varvara Gordienok (65th), Stella McWalter (76th), Freya Harte (77th), Robyn McDonnell (85th), Sarah Flanagan (90th), Isabelle Fitzgibbon (108th) & Aoife Murphy (109th).   Amy May O’Neill & Aria Costello also qualified to represent Dublin at the nationals as they finished in the Top 12.

 

In the Boys U12, Conor Reamsbottom qualified for the Nationals after finishing in 9th place.

 

The Girls U16 Team won the Team event and where crowned Dublin Champions with the top 3 positions taken by Mid Sutton Athletes. The Team was made up of Beth Reamsbottom (1st), Aoife Murphy (2nd), Tara Rose Smith (3rd), Méabh Mulvaney (35th), Tara Nugent (39th), Piper Swan (43rd) & Roisin Dorran (47th)

 

In the Dublin Uneven Championships, the U11 Girls Team finished in the Silver medal position qualifying the team for the National Championships in Tramore. The team was made up of Aria Costello (3rd), Amelia Reynolds Fox (9th), Áine Cahill (13th), Siún Barry (21), Varvara Gordienok (48th), Robyn McDonnell (54th), Eva Murtagh (59th), Stella McWalter (60th), Freya Harte (69th), Sarah Flanagan (70th), Eve O’Kennedy (73rd), Seren Grace Johnson (85th), Alexandra Naughton (86th), Aoife Murphy (87th) & Orla McAvoy (92nd).   Aria Costello & Amelia Reynolds Fox also qualified to represent Dublin at the nationals because they finished in the Top 12

 

In the Girls U13 category, Amy May O’Neill qualified for the Nationals after finishing in 5th place.

 

The Girls U15 Team won the Team event and where crowned Dublin Champions with a 1st, 3rd, & 4th finish for our first 3 athletes home. The Team was made up of Beth Reamsbottom (1st), Tara Rose Smith (3rd), Aoife Murphy (4th), Róisín Pastourel (20th), Ella Vogelaar (25th), Anna Mulvaney (37th), Carolyn Moran (45th).

Beth Reamsbottom, Tara Rose Smith  & Aoife Murphy also qualified to represent Dublin at the nationals because they finished in the Top 12.

 

The U12 Girls had some excellent runs in Enniskillen on a tough hilly course and finished in 13th place in the Clubs' Team Competition and were the 2nd Dublin Team.

Results were Aria Costello 54th , Amy May O’Neill 66th,  Amelia Reynolds Fox 131st, Aine Cahill 140th, Siun Barry 151st  & Robyn Mc Donnell 185th

In the U12 Boys Conor Reamsbottom finished in 75th place.

The U16 Girls brought home the National Silver Team Medal with some excellent runs. Beth Reamsbottom 4th – National Medal and selected for Irish U17 Cross Country Team, Aoife Murphy 17th,  Tara Rose Smith 20th, Méabh Mulvaney 116th, Tara Nugent 141st, Piper Swan 143rd.

What a run by Aria Costello who won the National Silver Medal. On a course which had significant elevation on one half of the course. All the girls ran valiantly.

Results were Aria Costello 2nd, Siún Barry 81st, Amelia Reynolds Fox 82nd, Varvara Gordinok 166th, Adele Murphy 168th & Aine Cahill.

In the U13 Girls,  Amy May O’Neill finished in 59th place.

 

The U15 Girls brought home the National Silver Team Medal narrowly missing out on Gold.  Beth Reamsbottom 7th – National Medal,  Tara Rose Smith 10th  – National Medal, Aoife Murphy 27th,  Anna Mulvaney 110th, Ella Vogelaar 131st & Roisin Pastourel.

 

As you can see an incredibly busy and successful cross country season. Word of thanks to all the coaches who put in a lot of time with the athletes. Also, to the parents who have supported the athletes in getting them to all the events and supporting each of the Mid Sutton athletes as they raced.

 

Congratulations to all athletes who competed in Cross Country this year. It’s the team element that makes it so much fun !!  For those athletes who haven't tried it yet, see you on the start line of the Dublin Leagues next year. 

 

On now to the Track season now.