Autumn Open – Race Report 2018

This year’s Autumn Open Cross-Country Festival took place at the National Sports Campus, Abbotstown on Sunday 21st October 2018.

Touted as the event to give athletes the perfect opportunity to kick-start their 2018 cross country season. However, the memory of a muddy field in Galway last February must have permanently scarred many a Sportsworld runner as only 8 elite athletes took to the field.

The course revel in what was a fantastic warm sunny autumn day. Flags, tents, happy crowds all of which created a nice atmosphere. And better again, no mud!

As the event also incorporated the Master Cross Country Trials for the British and Irish Master Cross Country Championships the Sportsworld team were in the company of Ireland’s finest athletes.

At 2 pm the women were set off down the hill and around the course for 4 laps covering 6km. With two races in one we were treated to some fine running with results as follows:

Senior Ladies:

Master Ladies:

Up next at 2:45 pm were the men who had 5 laps or 7.5km to tackle. Another two for one value race with seniors again pitted against the masters.

As we warmed up near the start line I picked out a runner as my likely target in my age group. He was easy to spot in his fluorescence yellow tee shirt and had that look about him that he knew how to run. So, we passed at the start line, I stared him in the eyes and so on.

With just over one hundred runners on the start line, forming a single line, with 250m to what would be a narrow gap in among the woods we all took off like greyhounds. By the time I got to the bottom of the hill running 3min30sec per km, I was in last place. My fastest start in any race and I am last but I decided not to panic. What goes down must go up and I hoped to pick a few off as the laps passed. In fairness, the course was enjoyable to run despite the hill at the end of the lap. An open fairway to start, a nice leafy lane at the back, and a couple of inclines towards the end of each lap. Fortunately, no slipping or getting stuck on the leafy lane like last year.

I am grateful for the support from the numerous Sportsworld members that came along and spread out along the course. Thanks also to the numerous other supporters who also cheered us on.

Anyway, before the end of the third lap, a young fella came running by as if he had just started. He eventually won so hats off to Sean Tobin who finished in 21:45 which by my calculations means an average pace of 2:54 per km!

Soon after Shane Healy (an ex. Olympic runner) raced by in his fluorescence yellow tee shirt and he went on to finish in 24:14 and take first place in the O50 category. Well done Shane. I can only dream about such times, but it is great to see what could be achieved.

In terms of Sportsworld competitors, Karol had a great run finishing 14th in the master’s category being narrowly beaten by a fraction of a second by three others.

Men results are as follows and gladly I didn’t finish in last place:

Full results can be found here:

https://myrunresults.com/events/athletics_ireland_autumn_open_cross_country_/2794/results

Well done to all eight Sportsworld athletes (aka elite athletes). Thanks to the organisers for a well-run and enjoyable event.