On Sunday 4^th October 2009, Stranorlar was the venue for the Donegal Even Age Cross Country Championships.  With the sun shining and good underfoot conditions, the stage was set for some quality racing from Under 6 up to Under 18.  The Lifford club travelled with 18 athletes, several racing for the first time.  Cross country running is certainly not for the faint hearted with all our young athletes rising to the occasion.

First up for the club was young Cate Smyth in the Girls Under 8 race.  Cate led for most of the way in her 300m race, but faded over the last few metres to finish in an excellent 5^th place finish.  Next up in the Boys Under 8 race, the club had five young boys running over the 300m course.  Leading his team mates home was young Raphoe lad Wilson Craig who finished in a brilliant third place, his first race for the club.  Following close behind was Jack Begley in 5^th, Ryan Stewart in 6^th, Shane O’Donnell in 9^th and Cian McGettigan in 10^th.  Well done to all these young Under 8 athletes, all of whom brought medals home on their first Cross Country outings for the club.

In the Girls Under 10 race, Nicole Martin had a fast start, and was in the leading group for most of her 600m race.  She showed some great guts to finish in a fine 9^th place.  In a large field, young Jessica McLaughlin in her first race for the club finished in a very creditable 19^th position.  St. Johnston girl Tyler Toland was also running her first race for the club, and while better suited to the uneven age groups next week, she finished in an excellent 37^th position.

The club had five athletes in the Boys Under 10 race, with all boys running very strong races.  Raphoe lad Christian Wilson in his first race for the club had an excellent top ten finish coming home in eighth place.  Team mate James Russell also had an excellent run to come in 15^th.  Brendan O’Donnell, son of club coach John had his first race for the club and came home in a fine 25^th place finish.  Making up a good young team were Corey McGettigan, 32^nd and Rory McCafferty 36^th, both having fine runs.

Unfortunately, three young girls missed their Under 12 race which was disappointing not just for the young athletes, but for their parents and coaches in attendance.  While the three, Amy Stewart, Shannon Craig, and Zara Russell would have been better suited to the uneven ages next week, they had been looking forward to some race practice and would have finished well up in a large field of athletes.  Hopefully all three will put the disappointment behind them and make them more determined to do well next week.

Last up for the club were two more young Under 12 athletes, both of whom were having their first cross country outing for the club.  In what was a large field of young athletes, Lifford lads Conor Maxwell and Barry McLaughlin put in very fine runs over the 1000m distance that neither were used to.  Conor, 44^th and Barry, 46^th started well, found the mid section going tough, and both finished with strong finishes.