Feb 21, 2010 [Noel Guiden] Pat Bonass today added the O/65 National Cross Country title to his ever growing collection. The National Masters was run over a tough course at Lough Key Forrest, Boyle, County Roscommon. Despite over night snow underfoot conditions were described as good with the odd muddy patch, the course itself featured a pretty stiff climb early on. Unfortunately once again at a National Cross country Championship there were problems. The “big” lap was about 400m short resulting in all races running short of distance, there was also confusion at the start of the Masters race regarding the actual course.
In the Masters mens race Pat Bonass tracked his main rival for the O/65 title in the early stages, passing him on the long uphill and opening a gap which he never relinquished to take the National title. Clonliffe did not have a full team but there were good runs from both Philip O`Doherty and Tom Monks.
The Intermediate mens race was of course supposed to be over 10,000m, runners estimated that the actual distance covered was only around 7,500m. A great run on his Clonliffe debute from John Heneghan saw him take individual silver behind Brendan O`Neill (DSD). John was followed home by Lorcan Cronin a very credible 13th, Mark McDonald, most impressive for an 800m track specialist, 27th and an excellent run also from Stephen Harkness in 30th these four taking team silver for Clonliffe just 7 points off gold, won in a repeat of the National Novice by City of Derry. Excellent efforts also from Eoin Pearse (32nd), Ernie Ramsey (63rd) and Joseph Cooper (67th).
Next up, the big one, The National Junior and Senior Inter Club Cross Country in the Phoenix Park in two weeks time.
The ladies team had the bare team of 4 competing in yesterdays race in Boyle. The course should have been 4km but was just short of 3km. Joyce O’Hare was first home for team having a great second lap picking off a steady stream on her way, that extra 1km would have suited her. Next was Maura Matthews also had a good run coming home in 30th, Bronagh Ni Bhriain in 37th spot and Laura Garvey not put off by her first cross country (even if she did get an elbow in the side at the start) in 46th position. Well done all. The team came home in 6th spot.