Photo Credit: John O'Connor

It was a great day for cross-country running in Bushfield last Saturday and the host club, Loughrea AC, had the course in superb condition for the occasion. Athenry AC were well represented in all grades and took home their fair share of the medals.

In the women's race Amanda Cannon was the first Athenry AC runner home, placing second in the novice grade. This was a great run from Amanda, who had completed a half-marathon just a week earlier. Showing admirable tactical awareness she ran with some restraint early on in the race and then came through strongly over the last lap passing a number of other runners. Amanda's silver medal in the novice grade was Athenry's joint-best individual performance of the day. Valerie Glavin was also amongst the medals claiming bronze in the masters O35 division and the Athenry AC women's combined team placed second behind Loughrea and just ahead of their arch-rivals GCH.

Amongst the men, Paul McNamara made a welcome return to action in Athenry colours placing third in a highly competitive senior men's race behind Gary Thornton and Gerry Ryan, of GCH and Craghwell respectively. Darragh McShane had a storming run in the intermediate grade and claimed a silver medal for his efforts. Mick Rice took bronze in the masters' O40 grade. The Athenry AC men's combined team were a gallant third behind strong teams from GCH and Craughwell.

Congratulations to all of the Athenry AC athletes who took part and to the hosting club Loughrea who put on a great show.

John O'Connor's photographs of the occasion can be viewed at  http://www.flickr.com/photos/edenhill77/