Charlotte Abbott is Offaly Intermediate Champion.
Day 3 of the Offaly Cross Country Championships took place on Sunday last, 1st November, on a beautiful sunny morning in Kilcormac, with the early morning fog lifting just in time for another great day of racing.
The women’s 5000m race was first on the programme of events. Before the start, a minute's silence was observed in memory of Ciara Moran of Naomh Mhuire AC, who sadly passed away during the week. Ciara had finished third in this very race last year, and her passing has left great sadness among her fellow athletes and running friends.
From the early stages, Ciara Greene of Ferbane AC took the lead, with Charlotte Abbott quickly moving into contention. Niamh McEnhill settled into third place, and these three athletes established themselves at the head of the field of 17 athletes.
As the race progressed, Charlotte made her move and pulled clear to claim the Offaly Intermediate Ladies title with Sinead and Niamh 2nd and 3rd respectively.
A fantastic win for Charlotte and adding to her 2026 cross country performances, having already secured the Novice title on Day 1 of the championships and a very solid run by Niamh.
Also lining out for Tullamore Harriers were Rachel Henry (4th) Emer Rigney (8th), Mary Galvin (12th), Olive Mannion (16th)
The Tullamore Harriers ladies took first place in the Intermediate team competition, with Ferbane AC finishing second.
In the Men's Intermediate 8,000m race, Tullamore Harriers were represented by Gearóid McHugh, David Hollywood and Darren Butler. Unfortunately, the club was one athlete short of fielding a scoring team. The race was won by Adam Courtney of Ferbane AC.
Tullamore Harriers results:
Ladies
Charlotte Abbott 22.18
Niamh McEnhill 22.44
Rachel Henry 23.19
Emer Rigney 25.05
Mary Galvin 26.41
Olive Mannion 29.59
Men
Gearoid McHugh 8th 34.03
David Hollywood 12th 35.29
Darren Butler 14th 36.15
Olive gets into the Halloween Spirit!!
Olive Mannion certainly got into the Halloween spirit this week, swopping her Tullamore Harriers singlet for fancy dress on two occasions!
First up, on Thursday, (the 29th of October), Olive was in Limerick City for the Fancy-Dress Night Run, where she clocked a time of 26:48 for the 5K.
Just two days later, Olive was back in action, this time in Co. Carlow for the inaugural Coppenagh Coo 5K. She once again embraced the fancy-dress spirit, crossing the finish line in 26:08.