Forty-five not out!

A Meath-born athlete consolidated his unique record when he completed the English National Cross-Country Championships last Saturday for a 45th consecutive year.

Martin McGann, aged 67, was born in Kiltale, Co Meath. He moved to Manchester in 1969 and joined East Cheshire Harriers, the local club. His best result  in the “Nationals” came in 1978, when he finished 146th.  Athletics is in the family genes – older brother Des McGann ran the marathon at the 1972 Olympics.

Last Saturday, on a lovely spring day in Nottingham, Martin  finished 1,512nd of 1,657 finishers. Ahead of him his club mate Joe Steward, still a junior, finished 12th on a marvellous day for the club.

“That’s another race to remember; another one under the belt. We had a team of ten out which was rather pleasing and I was happy to finish amongst all the action,” said Martin after the race.

* Thanks to Neil Shuttleworth for the info.

* At the same “Nationals” ,  Steve Vernon made cross-country history when he took an eighth medal.