With the cross country season kicking off imminently, the young McVeighs are hard at work testing the legs on all terrains to try to give themselves an extra edge this season.
With Maisie at the North Coast for her final session with the NI Flavahans Endurance Squad over the Portstewart sanddunes, the boys took the opportunity to test their legs on the first beach Parkrun worldwide which is run entirely on sand.
Nine year old Harry, set off as if he had been running on sand his whole life. Emerging from behind men and women at least twice his size, to gracefully glide across the sand at a phenomenal speed, followed by Daddy Connaire who was heard in coach mode, encouraging the youngster on.
Crossing the line, smashing the long standing Junior Under 10 course record by over a minute in 20.20.
There was whispers heard across the finish line of the North Coast destination of who was this little boy. They knew they had witnessed something special from a young athlete destined to achieve great things. This year he will get the opportunity to line up with his brother at the Flavahans School Cross Country League where he will finally get to make his mark on the big stage and for the club he’s off to Armagh next week.
Older brother, Connaire Og knew he was on holiday and took the opportunity to part take in a bit of a dualathlon by literally testing the water on route several times. Even with his easy pace and embracing a more scenic and wet route he crossed the line in a very respectable 25.21.
One reporter and coach has a feeling that this year she will be writing a lot about the great achievements of these young boys across all competitions and will also enjoy the positive energy, dedication and smiles that both boys bring to training each week. Their enthusiasm is infectious and rubs off on those around them.
They even found time to build sandcastles after their achievements this weekend whilst little sister Tilly showed her ability to move just as fast as her big brothers and make a clean break for the water.
Report by Siobhan Grant