Local runner Noel Connor competes in the World Athletics Northern Ireland International Cross Country
Ballymena Runners Noel Connor competed in Northern Ireland International Cross-Country meeting at the Billy Neill MBE Country Park in Dundonald.
The race was part of the World Athletics Silver Cross Country Tour and incorporated the Celtic Games, Home Countries and British Cross Challenge.
This year Belfast was selected to host the fourth-round fixture, with underfoot conditions challenging for the 600 athletes competing.
Noel finished 16th overall and easily winning the Male Over 60 4k competition in a time of 00:15:33.
Noel Connor
After finishing the race Noel ran a ‘cool down lap’ with World Track Champion and Olympic silver medallist Helen Obiri (Kenya)/ Helen was warming up for her 8k race which she won easily in a time of 00:26:44.
Hellen is better renowned for her track achievements which have made her one of the successful world class athletes in recent years. This has included two world 5,000m titles and two Olympic Silver medals; the latest being in the Tokyo Olympics where she lost to multi gold medallist Sifan Hassan.
(Picture by Noel Graham with permission)