Former Enniskillen runner Edel Monaghan had a commanding victory in the Dublin Senior Women’s Cross-Country Championships held at Santry Demesne on Sunday afternoon.

The race was seen by many athletes as perfect preparation for the All-Ireland senior cross-country championships to be held in two weeks’ time in Gowran Park, Kilkenny. European Athletics had increased the distance for the women’s race to match the men’s with a challenging 9km over muddy underfoot conditions. For most of the athletes, it would have been their first-time racing Cross Country over this distance.

Running in the sky blue of Dublin City Harriers, Monaghan worked together with the lead group of five for much of the contest until taking the race on over the last few kilometres.

She managed to open a convincing gap to claim the title in a time of 34.49 over 30 seconds ahead of teammate Faye Dervan in second place. Edel became the first winner of the Dublin women’s Cross Country title for Dublin City Harriers in 35 years

The Dublin City Harriers club ran out convincing winners of the team title to take home the Jim McNamara Cup.

Having secured the Leinster and Dublin titles, Dublin City Harriers will be aiming to defend their national Cross Country title in Kilkenny in two weeks’ time.