McKiernan romps to victory in UK

Catherina McKiernan romped to victory in the Margate International cross country meeting in England today – and then set her sights on rolling back the years at next month’s European Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh.

McKiernan, winner of the inaugural European title in 1994, walked away from the sport after a long injury battle three years ago.

But after getting married and having a baby, she embarked on her athletics comeback in January.

And she is in no doubt as to why she suffered a dip in form.

“I was rubbish for a start,” she said. “But I got my appetite back and it’s better than ever now.”

To prove it, she devoured the six kilometre Margate course in 17 minutes and 50 seconds to finish 15 seconds ahead of her Ireland team-mate Rosemary Ryan, with French champion Laurence Duquenoy third in 18mins and 36secs.

Fourth in 18:42 was Sharon Morris (Bedford) who will run alongside Paul Radcliffe next weekend in the Great Britain team at the Ekiden Road Relay in Chiba in Japan.