Last weeks torrential and incessant rainfall produced the worst possible running conditions for the large field of female athletes competing in the Dublin Athletic Board Intermediate Cross Country Championships on
Sunday
For the second weekend in a row Tallaght AC made the short trip to Tymon Park hoping to build on last weeks success in the Meet and Train Winter League.
With the cold rain beating down on their faces the athletes lined up in what was to be one of the most competitive Intermediate Championships in years.
4000 meters of puddles and muck over two laps lay in wait for these hardy souls as the starter sent the athletes on their way.
Tallaght Athletic Club's female athlete of the year Jacqui Boyle took on the big guns from the start and was never outside of the top 10. Indeed her 7th place finish augurs well for her chances at next weeks National Novice Cross Country Championships in Coleraine. She was followed home by April Pounch in 12th place. April was making her debut for Tallaght AC and this performance suggests April has a bright future ahead of her in the
sport.
Sharon Tighe is another recent addition to the Tallaght ranks and she is improving by the week and her 19th place finish was just reward for her efforts in
training
Gwen Baker took the worst day of the year to produce her best performance of the year and her closing lap took her past dozens of athletes to secure a very creditable 26th place. Susan Adams is another that is running well at present and with Jenny O Connor, Janice Mahon , Susan Holland and Mairead Nic Siosta all packing well the club secured its highest place ranking in years at this event to secure 4th place in the Team Category.