British & Irish Masters International XC 2018:
North Belfast Harriers’ Mark McKinstry (Northern Ireland) and Finn Valley AC’s Teresa Doherty (Ireland) were the star performers as local athletes impressed at the 31st annual British & Irish Masters International XC in Swansea (Saturday 17th November 2018).
Mark McKinstry produced an excellent front-running performance to secure gold in the highly competitive M35-M49 event. The Glenwherry man raced clear early on and proved uncatchable as he sealed a clear victory, taking 1st place a massive thirty seconds ahead of Welsh athlete Phil Matthews.
Mark’s heroics also led his Northern Ireland M35 team to 3rd place in the team competition – the team included Allan Bogle, John Craig, Chris McGuinness, Stephen Nicholson, Pius McIntyre.
Meanwhile, in the ladies race, Teresa Doherty, who like Mark, was making her debut at the Masters International, was chased hard all the way by England’s Kirsty Longley, before claiming a well-deserved 1st place.
There were also individual medals for NI men Laurence Johnston (North Belfast Harriers) and Steve Cairns (Tyne Bridge Harriers). In the M60 category, Laurence Johnston, a winner at the recent McConnell Shield XC, finished in 2nd place. In the M50 race, Steve Cairns battled all the way before also securing 2nd place.
Steve and NI team mates Duncan Bell, Neil Carty, Bernard Brady, James Turtle and Sean Meyler picked up silver medals.
David Clarke, James Wallace, Noel Connor and Bryan Edgar were all part of the Northern Ireland M55 team who finished in 2nd place.
In the M45 team competition, NI’s Eamon White, Gary Henderson, Gavin McDermott, Nigel McKibbin, Justin Reid and Mark Smith collected bronze medals after taking 3rd place.
Full results from the event are available HERE.
