Athletics Wicklow’s Even Ages Cross Country Championships Deliver a Fantastic Day of Racing
Russborough House, Blessington – Sunday, 4th October 2026
Young athletes from clubs across County Wicklow and beyond gathered at the beautiful grounds of Russborough House, Blessington, on Sunday, 4th October, for the Athletics Wicklow Even Ages Cross Country Championships.
The event brought together athletes across a range of age groups, from the youngest U8 competitors to the older juvenile and junior athletes, for a fantastic day of cross country running, teamwork and club competition.
There was plenty of excitement throughout the programme, with runners showcasing their determination and competitive spirit over the challenging cross country course.
Individual and Team Honours
The girls’ U8 race saw Caoimhe Mulligan of Roundwood and District lead the field home, followed by Skye Harris of Parnell and Moya Williamson of Kilcoole. Kilcoole claimed the team title with 21 points, narrowly ahead of Greystones and District on 22 points, while St. Benedict Inbhear Mór finished third with 39 points.
In the girls’ U10 race, Bekaa Dorney of Greystones and District took individual honours ahead of Abigail Small of Kilcoole and Florence Sheehan of Lakeshore Striders. Greystones and District also secured the team title with 22 points, followed by Lakeshore Striders on 25 points and Kilcoole in third with 51 points.
Jessica Place of Bray Runners led the girls’ U12 field across the finish line, with Myá Mlisana of Kilcoole second and Izzy Kilroy of St. Benedict Inbhear Mór third. Bray Runners took the team title with 27 points, ahead of St. Benedict Inbhear Mór on 48 points and Inbhear Dee on 67 points.
The girls’ U14 race produced an excellent performance from Ciara Fay of Kilcoole, who won ahead of Louisa Martin and Julianne Buck, both representing Parnell. Bray Runners claimed the team title with 17 points, followed by Inbhear Dee on 22 points and St. Benedict Inbhear Mór on 50 points.
In the girls’ U16 race, Hope Dumas of Inbhear Dee took the individual victory, with Olatz Cole Garcia of Bray Runners second and Summer Fitzsimons of Inbhear Dee third. Inbhear Dee secured the team title with 12 points, with Parnell finishing second on 26 points.
The girls’ U18 race was won by Lara Buck of Parnell, ahead of clubmate Layla Marie Dixon, while Aoife Lane of Inbhear Dee finished third. Parnell also claimed the team title with seven points, ahead of Inbhear Dee on 16 points.
In the boys’ U8 race, Henry Armstrong of Lakeshore Striders led the field home, followed by Fionn O’Brian of Greystones and District and Kade Egan of Lakeshore Striders. Lakeshore Striders won the team competition with 12 points, ahead of Kilcoole on 24 points and St. Benedict Inbhear Mór on 46 points.
The boys’ U10 race saw Damhan Behan of Lakeshore Striders take individual honours ahead of Finn Daly Kelly of Greystones and District and Reggie Querl of Lakeshore Striders. Lakeshore Striders also secured the team title with 28 points, followed by Parnell on 37 points and Inbhear Dee on 41 points.
In the boys’ U12 race, Fionn Redmond of Parnell crossed the line first, with Jamie Santry of Greystones and District second and Freddie Allen of Bray Runners third. Greystones and District took the team title with 39 points, just ahead of Kilcoole on 40 points, while Bray Runners finished third with 43 points.
The boys’ U14 race was won by Devin Sheehan of Parnell, with Oisín Kelly of Roundwood and District second and Rowan Geraghty of Greystones and District third. Inbhear Dee claimed the team title with 29 points, followed by Lakeshore Striders on 38 points and Parnell in third place.
Daniel Clarke of Inbhear Dee won the boys’ U16 race, ahead of Eoghán O’Reilly and Ben Moran, both representing St. Benedict Inbhear Mór. Inbhear Dee took the team title with 16 points, while St. Benedict Inbhear Mór finished second on 22 points.
The boys’ U18 race saw Johann Schmitt of Bray Runners finish first, followed by Jack Deegan of Kilcoole and Jude Connolly of Lakeshore Striders. No teams were entered in this category.
In the Junior Women’s race, Lara Buck of Parnell took victory ahead of Layla Marie Dixon of Parnell and Aoife Lane of Inbhear Dee. Parnell secured the team title with seven points, with Inbhear Dee finishing second on 17 points.
The Junior Men’s race was won by James Foot of Bray Runners, with Morgan Durston of Kilcoole second and Johann Schmitt of Bray Runners third. Bray Runners took the team title, completing a successful day for the club.
Celebrating Club Athletics
The Even Ages Championships are an important fixture in the Athletics Wicklow calendar, giving young athletes the opportunity to compete individually while also contributing to their club’s overall team performance. The team results demonstrated the depth of talent across the county, with clubs competing strongly across multiple age groups.
A special word of thanks must go to Lakeshore Striders for organising such a fantastic event. Their hard work, dedication and attention to detail helped ensure the championships ran smoothly and provided a wonderful experience for all the athletes, clubs, coaches and supporters in attendance. Athletics Wicklow is grateful to everyone involved in bringing the event together and for their continued commitment to juvenile athletics and cross country running in the county.
The success of the championships was a reflection of the commitment of the athletes, coaches, club volunteers, officials and families who support juvenile athletics throughout the year.
Athletics Wicklow congratulates all athletes who competed at Russborough House, as well as the clubs whose teams secured podium finishes. Every runner who took to the course played a part in making the championships a memorable occasion for Wicklow cross country athletics.
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