Commmunity Games Trials

Sunday 7th November saw another Cross Country outing to Tymon park. Given the recent frenzy of races and the limited number of age groups catered for our numbers were slightly down but we had top quality out on the day.

Thanks to the parents for the lifts out and for the huge support, Karen, Aisling, Gemma, Louis’ Dad, Grainne and Des it was great to see everyone stay to support all of our racers.

The agenda was 2 races per age group (Boys and Girls) across 3 age groups (U12, U13, U14) with shorter distances to the normal Cross Country. First up were U12 Girls covering 500m. We had Mia Coleman and Katie Grace McDonnell in this one. The girls have both run a couple of the Cross Country races already this season but it was clear from the start that this shorter distance was to Katie Graces liking. She burst off the line and hit the lead which at one point was 10 meters. She knew she was running well as she smiled while moving past the Mid Sutton cheerleaders with 200m to go. There was a big push from behind and Katie G was just pipped on line for 6th place finishing 7th. Her best race to date and she certainly was very happy afterwards. Well done Katie G you have persisted all season, roughed it out on some hard courses and Sunday you broke a barrier in getting a top 10. Keep it up there are no limits! Mia followed Katie G home, again with smiles having dug deep to get home as fast as she could. Brilliant running ladies.

U12 Boys saw Ryan Keating, Harry O’Neill and Louis O’Leary take part for Mid Sutton. They represented well with a 1,2,3 in the early stages. Ryan took to the front and what a little runner this young man is, he looks effortless, so smooth. He hardly gets it from his Dad does he? He took home gold closely backed up by Harry and Louis both of whom have also qualified to compete for Dublin, in Limerick. Well done Gents it was pleasure to the multiple club singlets up there at the front.

U13 Girls sadly had no Mid Sutton representatives but Robyn Murphy, who falls into U13, had other ideas. She preferred the distance for U14 and the team element for that age group in Limerick so she stepped up a year. It wasn’t an easy task as she had to race against a current Irish champion. Robyn got out well over the 700m distance and showed her Dad Des how it’s done with a top 3 spot. Robyn is one of our long time members who has competed since under 9s and still gets a great buzz from running.

Last and certainly not least the U13 Boys covered 900m. Much shorter than normal but a great distance to sharpen these 3 Mid Sutton men for their National Team Competition in a few weeks time. Dylan Dewilde, Phoenix Kenny and Charlie O’Neill who have been racing together now for years went out together and again out the white, blue and red up at the front. These guys are not just Mid Sutton members, U13 runners, runners, they are great friends with a love for athletics. You could see it as they warmed up together, joking, laughing and chatting about where to make a move on the course. Great to see and as coaches you can’t do much more than try to keep that friendship and bond together as long as possible. Well done Gents, we will see you all in Limerick on the 27th.

It was another great day over the country, more personal achievements, more miles in the legs, more smiles and more jellies (thanks Harry).

Remember success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts. Keep it lit gang, keep on running!

Next up
- National Even ages on 21st November
- League 3 on 28th November
- National Uneven ages on 5th December

Of course Junior Park run On a Sunday morning at 9.30am is always a great one to get to !