Danny McLaughlin seals victory at Born 2 Run Sea 2 Sky Multi Terrain 10K at Newcastle

Reigning champion David O’Flaherty was a non-starter leaving the race wide open, but McLaughlin and Weir had other ideas and hit the front running shoulder to shoulder over the first uphill 5K.

It was McLaughlin from St Malachy’s who just got the edge as they descended and he crossed the line on the promenade with just four seconds in hand over Weir from Willowfield with Gerard Heaney from St Peters taking third.

Jonathan Canning, Martin Melvin and Philip Maguire completed the top six with Jack O’Haire taking the M40s from Stephen Morris as Cameron Burns M45 and John Joe Rogers M55 won their groups.

Amy Bulman had a comfortable win in the Ladies which went to Laura Graham last year.

She came in 32seconds before the runner-up.

The Antrim winner took the lead from the start and came to the end well clear of Amanda Perry with Mari Troeng placing third ahead of Sarah Jane Guiney.

The race was started by Olympic bound steeplechaser and European finalist Kerry O’Flaherty.

Meanwhile, Christine McMahon made a last-minute plea to the selectors by setting a best over 400 metres hurdles at the International at Heusden, Holland.

She came second in 56.06 behind Laura Wells of Australia who ran 55.69.

Unfortunately the time which is inside the Rio Olympic standard came just five days after the deadline for performances although there is a chance that an appeal to the IOC could be made.