Laboratory Process Engineer of Singleton Birch competed in the NI International Cross Country in Ducdonald on Saturday 29^th January. Sam Stabler was the first British athlete to finish after holding down fifth for almost all of the 10K distance. That earned the Leicester man first place in a close-fought Challenge race.  I’m very pleased with that as it was my first race of the season,” said Stabler who was out of action for most of last year through injury. “I tried to go with the Africans but after two laps (of five) they were just too strong for me and got away on the hill”.