The National Even Ages XC took place on Sunday in Dundalk IT. Thankfully the sun stayed out for the duration of the days proceedings. First off was the girls u12 race over 2000m with no fewer than 167 athletes. The course was relatively flat with a few steep hills thrown in for good measure, however the underfoot conditions were energy sapping to say the least. Vita O’Brien and Kate Naessens who have both been running for less than 12 months and in their first National Championships put in excellent performances with Vita coming home in 37th place and Kate 82nd. Vita was also the 4th scorer for Dublin team who won Intercounty silver medals. Next off were the boys u12 over the same distance, Joshua Ericson despite being with the leading pack from the off, took a nasty hit and suffered a fall and despite getting up and trying to continue unfortunately had to withdraw from the race with 800m to go. Oliver McQuaid was first of the Skerries boys home in 128th place followed Hugh Lawlor 135th, Joe May 140th, Lorcan Devine 143rd and Sean Emmett 155th. We had a wait of an hour or so before the next set of Skerries athletes took to the off in the girls u18/Junior combined race over 4000m. In the u18 race Isabel Carron was first of the girls home in 4th place followed by Laura Costello 36th, Eryn Devine 43rd, Aoimhe Downey 54th, Aine McCarthy 60th and Ellen Tuck 66th. Orla Bollard placed 23rd in the Junior girls race. Well done to all.