Moate woman competing in World Championships

Moate native Sarah Flanagan is representing Ireland in the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, which are taking place in Austria this week.

Sarah is a member of Tullamore Harriers Athletics Club and has produced several impressive performances when representing the club over recent months.

The World Mountain and Trail Running Championships are being held in the Innsbruck-Stubai region of Austria until Saturday, June 10. Sarah was selected to represent Ireland in the 'Classic Race' for women (run over a distance of 14 kilometres), alongside Aine Gosling, Sarah McCormack and Edel Monaghan.

A daughter of Sheila and Larry Flanagan, Sarah is a solicitor whose work practice is based in London. She divides her time between England and Moate, and still finds time to regularly represent the Harriers in competitive action.

In April, Sarah won the 20-mile Giants Causeway Coastal Trail Run (a challenging trek along the Antrim coastline) and, the following day, she ran a 5km race in Clara.

Sarah was the first lady home in the Royal Canal Longford Marathon on April 22, and she has won several honours while competing in the blue and white singlet of the Harriers club.

Both of Sarah's parents, Sheila and Larry, are well respected in the Moate area, with Sheila having run an accountancy and financial advice business in the town for many years, and their son, David, has carried on the business.

Larry taught English and Agricultural Science in the Carmelite College and in Moate Community School, with boxing and golf among his sporting interests.