McElhinney and Healy claim first national cross country titles

Darragh McElhinney and Sarah Healy claimed their first national senior titles at the 123.ie National Cross Country Championships in Donegal this afternoon.

Both Healy (21) and McElhinney (22) were pushed all the way in quality senior races, but it was the UCD pair who would ultimately star on a day filled with outstanding performances across the 10-race schedule.

The women's 8000m race came down to a duel between two 1500m specialists in Healy and European silver medallist Ciara Mageean. Both athletes raced side-by-side over the first 5,000m before making a decisive move which saw them broke from a group which included defending 2021 champion Michelle Finn (Leevale) who would ultimately cross for third.

Healy waited until the final uphill climb before making her race-winning-move which saw her surge clear on the run for home, crossing the finish 15 seconds clear to take her first Irish senior cross country title in 27:05.

Mageean’s performance to claim silver was made all the more impressive in that the City of Lisburn star was forced to run much of the final lap with one spike.

Healy said: "I’m so excited, it means a lot to me against such good girls. I enjoyed it, as much as you can enjoy 8K cross. It’s a very scenic course."

Dublin City Harriers were led home by Lauren Tinkler (7th) to claim the team title with an impressive showing which saw four athletes finish in the top 20.

The men’s race was hugely tactical from the gun with likely contenders of Efrem Gidey (Clonliffe Harriers), Peter Lynch (Kilkenny City Harriers), and Hiko Tonosa Haso (DSD AC) paying close attention to any potential moves from Darragh McElhinney.

Haso was first to make his move for home from 600m out, but McElhinney covered it expertly, using the