Thornhill College hosts successful Derry XC

A month later than expected and a few miles up the road, a successful Derry XC was held with close to 500 competitors of all ages taking part.

Last month, the event was called off at the very last minute due to horrendous weather conditions which made the Gransha track impossible to navigate. But the setback only added to the determination to make the Derry XC a success and on Saturday close to 500 travelled to the new location at Thornhill College to ensure that the event finally took place and successfully so.

In the Open Event, it was North Down’s Craig McMeechan who took the honours, coning in ahead of Conal McCambridge in second and Foyle Valley’s own Chris McGuinness in third place. McGuinness in fact was the only local representative to finish in the top 10 with a time of 21:35. City of Derry Spartan Angeline McShane was the first lady home in a time of 26:15.

Shay McHugh (Finn Valley) and Enya Logue (Rosses) were the winners in the P4/P5 event, with Foyle Valley’s Sadhbd Callan the second female home after an impressive performance. City of Derry Spartan trio Clodagh Jamison, Conor Fyfe and Flynn Laxon were separated by seconds only as they finished in third, fourth and fifth positions.

In the other Primary School event, P6/P7, Foyle Valley’s Niall Callan took second place, just behind race winner Evan Ward (Rosses), while Spartan Oirghiall Curran finished in third place. Foyle Valley’s Bennie Devlin was the second female home, behind Kate Kelly from Enniskillen Running Club.

In the U13 event, Foyle Valley’s Harry Francis took the win, while Annabelle MacKenzie from Enniskillen was the winner in the Girls’ event.

Other notable results locally saw City of Derry’s talented Hannah Wade finish first in the Girls’ U17 race while Foyle Valley’s Ciaran Logue finish fourth in the Boys’ race.

See City of Derry Spartans Facebook page for full results.