O'Doherty's tackle English National

by Gerry O'Doherty.

Family history was made by the O'Doherty lads on a spring like day in Parliament Fields, London on Sat 21st February, in the English National Cross Country Championships. Gerry and Kevin, who competed for Finn Valley AC in 1970's and 80's, were joined by Gerry's 25 year old son Kieran as they ran for Billericay Striders in what is regarded in cross country folklore as the toughest race in the calendar on the course regarded as the home of English cross country running. Billericay Striders finished a creditable 44th out of 150 teams. As Gerry says "the athletes here today are the creme de la creme of English cross country so I am very pleased with the team result. Its a tough race with loads of hills and liquid mud ! and as a cross country runner you have just got to do it. I was very proud that Kieran and Kevin ran today - father, son and brother - a first for our family, Billericay Striders and possibly Finn Valley AC ! The next time the National comes back to London will be in Olympic year 2012 - the O'Doherty lads plan to be there".

Billericay Striders Team --- 44th place in 2009 The National at Parli Hill, London

• 300 Jamie Nunn 47:00
• 436 Kieran O'Doherty 48:53
• 458 Anthony Squire 49:15
• 470 Dave Butler 49:23
• 586 Kevin Jacob 51:05
• 743 Alan Clark 53:15
• 1013 Gerry O'Doherty 57:42
• 1121 Kevin O'Doherty 59:33

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