Blackburn Harriers Kirsty Maher last ran a cross country race in March 2024 which was at the Inter-Counties finishing in 11th place. On October 19th, Kirsty returned to cross country at the Autumn Cross Country in Abbotstown, Dublin – and what a good race she had, finishing 3rd overall in a time of 21.07 with India Barwell in 2nd place (21.05) and the winner Fiona Everard (20.52). Following the race, Kirsty shared her thoughts about the race and its outcome saying that “it had been over 18 months since I last lined up for a cross-country race, and this was my first time competing with the seniors. Therefore I went into it with few expectations — my main goals were to just  remember how to race and to gauge where my fitness lay ahead of nationals later this year. So, I was absolutely over the moon with the result. I owe huge credit to my coach, Andy Bibby, for getting me to this point — it’s been quite a journey“. (RESULTS)

Kirsty Maher (21)

Fiona Everard (14) – Kirsty Maher (21)

Blackburn Harriers Leah Hoole has taken to triathlon and now it appears – the Ironman – like a duck to water. She has spent the last year training like demon and qualified for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii held recently, being the youngester person ever to compete and finish the race in a time of 12hr 51.43 – an incredible performance by her. Commenting on her social medai Leah said aftyer paying tribute to her Coach and all those who helped her “What an experience! Pure mental grit from start to Finnish. There was some lows – right away actually in that choppy bloody sea. Words don’t do this race justice, you have to feel it for yourself“.

Leah Hoole

♥