ATHLETICS: Huge entry for Forest Park showdown in Castlewellan

The event, over five miles including 900 feet of climb, is the first of 11 in the Hill and Dale Series.

NIMRA Champion Seamus Lynch, last year’s Castlewellan winner William McKee and Ian Bailey are expected to be the frontrunners along with Neil Weir, David Steele and Deon McNeilly.

Shileen O’Kane came first last year before going on to win the NIMRA title. She will be prominent again along with cross country champion Shalene McMurray, Diane Wilson and Mari Troeng.

The action starts at 7.30pm.

Also on Thursda evening, a huge entry is expected for the fist round of the Firmus Energy Super 6 Series promoted by Lagan Valley AC at the Mary Peters Track.

The event is for minis, U13, U15 and U17 boys and girls plus some competitions for seniors and wheelchairs and has proved to be the launchpad for many senior internationals.

Registration is scheduled to take place from six o’clock with the first race pencilled in for a 6.45pm start. The other dates of the remaining rounds for the Firmus Energy Super 6 Series include: April 28, June 2, June 23, August 11, August 25.

In other news, Cathy McCourt continued her comeback from injury by taking her third successive victory in the Ballymena Belles 5 Miles Ladies Road Race at Galgorm.

The former Masters champion had a race-long battle with Karen McLaughlin and Sarah-Jane Guiney who both hit the front at one stage.

Cathy then produced a strong finish to win by five seconds from Karen with Sarah-Jane 21 seconds further back. There were 366 finishers.