Britton and McCarthy Secure Pre-Selection for the European Cross Country Championships

Fionnuala Britton (Kilcoole AC) and David McCarthy (West Waterford AC) produced impressive performances at the Lotto Cross Cup in Antwerp, Belgium on Sunday, 3rd of November. Britton stormed to a comprehensive victory in the women's race while McCarthy finished in fourth place in the men's race. With both athletes finishing in the top 8 positions today they have now secured pre-selection for the upcoming European cross country championships in Belgrade, Serbia on the 8th of December.

Double European cross country champion Britton eased to victory in a time of 15.40 with team mate Sara Treacy (Moynalvey AC) fourth in a time of 16.23. Ann Marie Larkin (Lifford AC) and Laura Crowe (An Riocht AC) battled all the way around the course, eventually finishing in 7th (16.30) and 8th (16.32) place respectively.

The junior women's race was run in conjunction with the senior women's race. Siofra Cleirigh Buttner (Dundrum South Dublin) ran brilliantly to finish in 12th place overall and first junior in a time of 16.57.

The men's race was won by Alex Kibet of Kenya in a time of 27.52. McCarthy having his best run of the year finished an impressive fourth place in a time of 28.26. He was followed home by Irish athletes Mark Hanrahan (Leevale AC) 10th in a time of 29.04, John Coughlan (MSB AC) 19th in 29.54 and Darren McBrearty (Letterkenny AC) 22nd in 30.07.

The next race for all these athletes will be the Woodie's DIY Inter County Cross Country Championships on November 17th which will act as the trial for the European cross country championships.