McDonald and Connolly deliver solid runs in World Championships
Kate McDonald finishing the gruelling uphill only race
LAOIS athletes, Kate McDonald and Riley Connolly both served up solid performances at the recent World Mountain and Trail Running Championships 2025.
Staged in the Pyrenees in Canfranc-Estacion, Spain, the competition saw Ballyroan Abbeyleix and District competitor, McDonald finish up 67th overall in the Uphill Only race over 6.4km, with an ascent of 990m, finishing on top of the Larraca mountain.
Her time of 56:25 minutes saw her emerge the third scorer on the Ireland team that finished up in 11th place overall.
St Michael’s AC athlete, Connolly took his place in the Under 20 Classic event which covered both an uphill and downhill course, stretching for 7.8km and with a climb of 390m.
Starting and finishing in Canfranc, that contest saw Connolly cross the line in 57th position overall, as he emerged the fourth scorer for the Ireland team that took 13th overall.
It was an impressive display by the young athlete, especially given that he will be eligible to compete in this event again in two years’ time if he qualifies.
Indeed, that performance capped another strong season for the St, Michael’s lad, who was the second scorer on the Irish team that finished eighth at this summer’s World Under 18 Youth Cup Mountain Running Championships in Donovaly, Slovakia where he crossed the line in 29th overall.
He also competed in September’s British and Irish Mountain Running Championships in Wales, lining out in the Under 17 event.
“It was great to see Kate run as a senior on the Irish team,” remarked St Michael’s AC coach, Owen Connolly. “This was her first Irish vest since previously running on the British and Irish Championship teams.
“It’s a fantastic achievement also for Riley considering he is so young. He will have learnt a massive amount from his experience,” he added.
The two athletes will soon be turning their attention to cross country competition, with McDonald gearing up for the Laois County Senior Championships and Leinster seniors later in the year.
Connolly, meanwhile, will be focusing on preparing for the County Under 17 Cross Country ahead of the Leinster age-group cross country.
