Junior Inter-Counties 2026 Race Report

The Northern Ireland and Ulster junior squads headed to the very competitive Inter Counties mountain running Championships in Edale in the Peak District, England. Competing against the best county teams from England as well as teams from Scotland and Wales. First up were the U16 squads who ran 5.4km with 366m elevation gain.

The U16 boys Ruarcc Sheridan (North Belfast Harriers) started off strong leading the field up the first hill and finished 9th overall, Donal McDaid (Newcastle AC) also running a strong race and placing 32nd. The U16 Girls all ran great races Mary Houston (Newcastle AC) was first NI runner to finish in 13th place, followed by Coco  Smith (North Down AC)  in 16th and Parisa Susay-Quinn in 20th. 

Followed by the U18s and U20s who ran a slightly longer and more technical course. Our sole U18 representative Ethan Lappin of Ballydrain Harriers finished a solid 19th.  The U20 ladies ran strongly as a team with Katie Graham (Annadale Striders) 9th, Emily McRitchie (North Belfast Harriers) 12th and Holly Blease (North Down AC) 14th. The U20 lads ran very well also with Finn Gibney (East Down AC) 12th, Niall McAufield (Lagan Valley AC) 13th and Tiarnan McManus having to pull out while just behind the other lads after twisting his ankle. A bright future for Northern Ireland Mountain Running.