Kehoe thrilled with European debut

That beaming smile was a permanent fixture on Hannah Kehoe’s face as she looked back on the European Cross-Country Championships, her first such event for her country.

“It was incredible,” she said. “So many new things happened in such a short space of time, it was overwhelming but in a good way!”

Taking it all in, Kehoe looked back on the experience with fondness.

“I came fourth in the Nationals, which I hadn’t expected as I’d been sick and hadn’t trained well in the lead up to the race,” she said, reflecting on the National Championships which took the runners all the way up to Donegal. “I was delighted with fourth place, and while the top three were guaranteed selection I knew I had a good chance of making the team. Once I got the email confirming my place I was delighted.”

Once she got to Turin, Kehoe took every chance to soak up the atmosphere and take in all the course had to offer.

“I got to see the course, which was worth it for me as we only had two laps in our race so there wouldn’t be much time to get used to it,” she said. “There were a lot of surprises on it - it was hillier than I thought it would be. We had a team Zoom which gave a virtual tour of the course and it didn’t show how extreme the hills were. I like downhills so I didn’t mind them - I’m not scared of losing my footing - but the uphill sections were vertical at some stages,” she said. “You almost had to climb up them, It was very technical too, something I wouldn’t be used to, but it was a great experience.”

As was running through a Castle!

“That was something I definitely wasn’t used to,” she laughed. “You literally turned a corner and ended up in a long room with horse carriages and a strip of fake grass down the middle.

“There wasn’t much time to take it all in though,” she added. “You just had to keep going.”

The European adventure came at the end of a great season for Kehoe, her first year with the Harriers.

“I’ve only been with the club for one season, but it feels like I’ve been here for ages,” she said. “I get along really well with everyone. The good atmosphere is testament to Niamh and Noel Richardson - they’re such good coaches. They’re patient with everyone and give so much time to all of us - the success is down to them.”

For a first experience it was hard to top, but that Irish selection has given Kehoe the appetite to push for more adventures in the national colours.

“I have another year at under-20 level so hopefully I can make it again.”

And, she will combine those international aims with life in San Francisco, where she’ll go to study.

“I got to talk to Aoibhe about living there and she had only good things to say about it,” she said. “It’s so different to life at home, but it will be a great experience.”