Last Wednesday, the 18th of January, a large group of first years and a small group of third years geared up for their first cross-country race of the new year. It was only a friendly race, a practice run for the big occasion next Thursday, the East Leinster’s. However, that didn’t stop the girls from being as competitive and enthusiastic as ever when the bus departed from Mount Anville. There was a great buzz around the campus of DCU when the team arrived, with athletes from all different schools getting themselves ready for the races to come. We were a little pushed for time, but after a quick jog around the course, the minor girls did a great warm-up to ensure they were ready for a fast race right from the off. There were thirty girls representing Mount Anville on the minor girls start line, and after a great showing at Blackrock earlier on in the school year, the girls were eyeing up a team prize. The race was to be approximately 1km long, or one big lap. After a little confusion on the start line, the girls composed themselves to get a flying start. They ran exceptionally well over the gruelling course with steep hills and mounds and even some hay bales! They packed well and showed true determination on a cold winter’s day, proving that all of their training with Ms. Murphy has been paying off. Eimear Maher was a part of a breakaway group right from the beginning, proving her class in a field packed full of aspiring young athletes. Eimear tracked the lead runner right until the very end when the other girl just pulled away from her. She held on to a very strong second place, an amazing run and a great start for the team scoring. With more Mount Anville singlets flooding soon over the finish line, a team medal was almost certainly in sight, and it was a well-earned silver! Next up was the inter girls race, with eight Mount Anville girls lining up to undertake the draining 2,400m run. The girls put out a fantastic gutsy performance, Sarah Gaughran leading the team home to an agonisingly close fourth place. Yet, after all of their great runs, the girls remained in high spirits. A fantastic day was summed up with a group photo of all of the athletes with a surprise visitor, the one and only Finnoula McCormack! It was so inspiring to see an athlete of her calibre at the event, making the girls even more detemermind to improve on their performances for the East Leinster’s cross country on Thursday 26th at Avondale House. What a promising start to the season ahead!