WE are not quite on the home straight of the Athletics NI Cross Country League but we are certainly on the final curve.
Four fixtures have already been completed with five more remaining over the next two months.
While the men’s title remains a close call between established clubs Annadale Striders, North Belfast Harriers and North Down, there is a new kid in town in the women’s league.
Tafelta Athletics Club was formed as recently as September, 2016 under the leadership of Francis Purvis, an accomplished runner in his day in the colours of Sperrin AC and North Belfast Harriers. The club is based in Magherafelt, the town’s name comes from ‘The Plain of Felta’ but was anciently known as ‘Tafelta’, the House of Felta.
Taking a maximum 26 points from the latest fixture in Derry before Christmas hoisted the Co Derry outfit to the top of the women’s table. They now have clear blue sea between themselves and the pursuing pack headed by North Belfast and Annadale.
And this is no flash in the pan – despite a membership of only 70 or so, they have made a big impression at provincial level.
Over the past two years, the Tafelta women have won five sets of provincial team medals from the six NI & Ulster road championships in which they have competed.
In 2023 they were runners-up in the 5K and half marathon, as well as claiming back-to-back bronze medals over 10K. They improved on that silver in the half marathon to take gold in Omagh last year.
Success has not been confined to road running, with the club’s women also winning the Ulster Novice in 2023.
“First and foremost, we’ve had great fun,” said Francis Purvis.
“Hopefully we’ve inspired other clubs to do the same. There’s lots of potential in the towns and cities outside Belfast. It’s just a question of harnessing that potential, setting goals and putting down plans to fulfil your ambitions.
“We started with only a handful of members but we’ve watched the numbers grow in a relatively short time. Any success we’ve had is down to hard work, commitment and perseverance of everyone connected to the club.”
After winning convincingly in Derry last month, Tafelta’s women look to continue their trajectory in the Athletics NI XC League after finishing 19th in 2022, sixth in 2023 and third last year, although that may be difficult given four of the remaining five races are in the greater Belfast area, suiting their rivals contending for the women’s team title.
Meanwhile, growth of the men’s side of the club is a key aim for Purvis, who is assisted by his son Cathaoir.
The postponed Malcolm XC was the first time the men had ten entries for a cross country league race and the team is now spearheaded by recent recruit Bliadhan Glass, who recorded 2:39:40 at the Frankfurt Marathon in the autumn.
Other significant signings are expected in the next few months to boost the men’s section of the growing Magherafelt club.
The remaining league fixtures are the Mallusk Harriers Mathieson Cup on Sunday followed by the re-arranged Irwin Speirs Meeting on January 25. The Malcolm Cup and Civil Service promotion follow on consecutive weekends, February 2 and February 9 respectively. And then it is the highlight of the cross country season – the NI & Ulster Senior at Lurgan, which also brings the league to a conclusion.
The international spotlight this weekend focuses on Sunday’s Valencia 10K which welcomes 100 elite athletes of 25 nationalities.
Could we see a world record so early in the year? Quite possibly with an African armada out in force in both the men’s and women’s races.
Notable among these in the male contest are Ethiopians Telahun Bekele, Getnet Wale and the debutant at the distance Samuel Tefera, double world indoor 1,500m champion. Add in Kenyans Daniel Kinyanjui, Vincent Langat and Meshack Lelgut and you have a good chance of a new global road mark.
There are three clear favourites in the women’s field – Fotyen Tesfay (Ethiopia), Christine Chesiro (Kenya) and the young and talented Ethiopian athlete Asayech Ayichew, who won the Great Ethiopian Run a few weeks ago.
