With the chilly weather starting to set in, what could be the best thing to do on a lazy afternoon? A cross country race
on your own back door! This Saturday (18th November) sees the Hutchison Tiles Cross Country Promotion incorporating
the Marcus McBains Memorial race at the University of Ulster playing fields here in Coleraine and the field should be as strong
as ever with well over 160 runners from Under 12s to Vet 60s expected!
The main race of the day, named after a very talented club member who died of cancer only a matter of years ago now should
be a very fraught affair with City of Derry runners looking to stamp their mark on this sought after trophy. Bradley
Conner, last years winner in a blistering 25:09 may not have it all his own way this year, with runners up last year Aaron
Doherty and Kieran Hurley (both City of Derry) looking to get their chance to shine. We also must not forget the likes
of Brian Campbell and Deane Fisher of Willowfield Harriers who could very easily snatch the win if they attend!
The Male Vet category looks like a win for evergreen Veteran Matt Wray, who has won quite a few races outright this year
including our Bell’s Conservatories Forest Race in September but Richard Rodgers (Newcastle AC), a former NI Mountain
Running International should never be discounted. We will have one of our own in this race, with the Portstewart Flyer
Peter Bell looking for a very popular victory in the Vet 50 category!
The Female Open race looks like Anne Paul will give the much younger opposition a running lesson, with multiple cross country
wins following her into this race but Omagh Harriers trio Hazel McCausland, Michelle Strum and Frances Orr all capable of
bring the fight to Anne. Pegasus may see Shirley Park, Tess McComb, Linda Gillen, Cathy Barr or Lorna Stynes taking
part which would be a great boost to the club.
Special hill prizes are awarded to every runner who is 1st at the top of the infamous hill which makes the course
unique to NI!
Finally, Pegasus men Chris Denton, Michael Henry and Jason Wilson make it out to the McDowell Shield being held in Ballyclare
last Saturday. In very tough races, they managed to not disappoint, with Chris managing to come within 40 seconds of
a former NI Mountain Running Champion on his first cross country in 3 years in 56th place. Michael managed a solid effort
on his first race back in a good while with 6th Vet 45 runner and Jason managed 31st in the Ulster Under 18 Championship,
not one of his better runs but a solid effort in a difficult field.
Races start from 11:45am onwards on Saturday morning with the U12s first off. The main senior/veteran races take
place at 2:15pm for women and 3:00pm for the men. Runners of ALL abilities are welcome!
