There was a bitingly cold wind at the GloHealth National Novice and Juvenile Uneven Age Cross Country Championships but it didn’t stop over 2,000 club athletes toeing the line in Santry Demesne.

Leevale’s Ben Thistlewood headed a field of close to 400 athletes in the men’s 6,000m race in 20:22 ahead of Thomas Moran (Dunshauglin) in 20:27 and Thomas Hayes (Kilkenny City Harriers) in 20:33.

Thistlewood, who hails from Canada and coached by Donie Walsh, broke clear of a tightly knit pack for much of the race in the final lap.

DANIELLE FEGAN TRACKING MARY ANN O’SULLIVAN IN THE WOMEN’S 4,000M NOVICE RACE

There was quite a surprise in the women’s 4,000m race and a rush to find out the name of eventual winner Danielle Fegan of Armagh AC at the finish. Fegan was locked in a duel with Tinryland’s Mary Ann O’Sullivan but prevailed in 15:19 to O’Sullivan’s 15:23. Sara Doohan of Corran AC to produce another surprise placing in third in 15:41.

THREE OF THE MEATH U17 BOYS SILVER MEDAL WINNING TEAM WHO WERE ONLY FOUR POINTS BEHIND DUBLIN

Of course there was plenty of talent in the juvenile races on show ranging from the powerful Corrine Kenny (SLOT) in the U13 girls to Peter Lynch (Kilkenny City Harriers) in the U19 boys. Clodagh O’Reilly had one of the biggest winning margins on the day with a facile victory in the U19 girls.

CLODAGH O’REILLY CRUISING TO VICTORY AND WILL RUN ON THE JUNIOR WOMEN’S TEAM AT THE EUROPEAN CROSS IN BULGARIA NEXT WEEK

Full results on the Athletics Ireland site here

We have a big set of pictures on our Facebook 

Stateside Aaron Hanlon got his indoor season underway for Providence at the BU Season Opener in Boston over 5000m with a win and new personal best time of 14:37.02.