Tom and Ethan going Bronze in Ambleside

Report by Phil Hodge

Back to Ambleside two years in a row, though last year was for the scaled back Home Countries International U18.

No complaints from us, Duncan Richards puts on a great event with the help of Niki Rylance, treating the team to excellent accommodation and a fantastic course.

Four Newcastle AC athletes had been selected to represent NI & Ulster, Tom Crudgington, Ethan McMullan, Ciara Savage, all for another representation on the team, but joined this year by Yasin Brannigan, making his International Debut taking one of three Development Athletes spots on the squad.

In a two race format, the U17s started first, with Yasin Brannigan running steadily throughout the fantastic course. Going sub 30, this was an excellent run, giving Yasin an insight into the standard at this level, and something to train for next year, when he tries out for selection to the team.

Both male and female athletes ran together in race two, with Tom leading for Newcastle AC in 11^th.He managed to move up to 8^th by the finish despite not feeling at full strength. Ethan was the fourth runner on the team, that went onto win a fantastic Bronze in the competition.

Ciara Savage back for another year on the Ambleside hills ran strongly throughout, finishing in a really pleasing 37:30 on the long U20 course.

We would like to thank the coaches and parents who travelled over for the event from Newcastle AC, and who continue week on week to give these young athletes all the support and encouragement they need.

In particular, a huge thankyou to Tracy Savage and Martin McMullan for all their support and help to this young and talented team on this trip.

Wishing the athletes every success in their Cross Country season, before trials for the U18’s next Spring.

Dates for the Diary –

Two local races for a final little bit of uphill training before the Cross Country Season –

6^th September – Mill Hill Mile

https://www.newcastleac.org/?page_id=5743

10^th September – Slieve Croob Challenge (times will be taken by Phil Hodge at summit to allow athletes to race the climb and walk back to the start.

https://athleticsni.org/Fixtures/Slieve-Croob-Challenge-10k-5k-and-Walk

2023 INTERNATIONAL Opportunities

International U18 – Annecy, France – 28^th May 2023
B&I U20 and U17 – Peebles, Scotland – 10^th September 2023

U17 JHI NI & Ulster Results

Joshua Muckian	13th	23:56	Poppy Hastings	12th	27:21
Ben Acheson	15th	24:19	Katie Graham	13th	28:05
Ethan Isles	18th	26:05	Niamh Campbell	15th	29:11
Jacob Crawford	19th	26:21	Eve Welsh	16th	29:35


Open Competiton – not counted towards team score
Ciaran McCarroll		25:06
Yasin Brannigan		29:03

U20 JHI NI & Ulster Results

Sean McGinley	5th	25:02	Eimear McCarroll	9th	32:16
Tom Crudginton	8th	25:37	Ciara Savage	16th	37:30
Ryan Smith	14th	27:40
Ethan McMullan	20th	29:58


Open Competiton – not counted towards team score
Ethan O’Kane		29:09