DCSA AWARDS NIGHT
On Tuesday last week many of the young people who carry out invaluable voluntary work in their sports clubs gathered in Downpatrick Golf Club for the annual awards night organised by Down Clubmark Sports Association. Volunteers, who effectively are the lifeblood of most organisations, who had carried out a minimum of 50 hours work for their clubs were presented with certificates by Jane Gribben Millennium Volunteers and Councillor Carmel O’Boyle Down District Council to mark their achievements. Stepping forward to receive her 50 hours award was East Down AC’s Catherine Surginor and it is expected that several more of the Club’s teenage members will qualify for next year’s ceremony. Well done and thanks to Catherine for her much appreciated contribution to Club training.
ACTION MENTAL HEALTH STEEPLECHASE AT DELAMONT
Last year after the first Action Mental Health (AMH) Steeplechase at Stormont had been virtually washed out by the weather I wrote “It is planned to stage this event again next year but it will take a considerable hike in numbers to make a hat trick a realistic proposition, as it is primarily a fundraising activity and needs to generate some revenue”. After the second staging of the event, at Delamont Country Park on Saturday in perfect running conditions, there is absolutely no chance that there will be a third.
Only 19 runners started in the 3 Mile Fun Chase and a hugely disappointing 11, compared to 29 in 2013, in the 6 Mile race. This is the first time I have been involved with a race of any description where the numbers fell from one year to the next. There is clearly no appetite for this type of novelty event, whether in the beautiful grounds of Delamont or elsewhere. On a day which began at 6.00am and ended at 4.30pm I could have been swimming the Channel, providing CPR to my wilting flowers or enjoying a family squabble, so I’ve booked next year’s date for at least one of these alternatives.
THE WINNERS
In the races themselves Owen Ewards was the clear winner of the 3 Mile race, with Laura Gardiner taking the Lady’s prize and little Hannah Cochrane a superb first junior.
Ballydrain’s Richard Coey won the 6 Mile Chase ahead of his clubmate Colin Garrett while Lagan Valley’s Anne Sandford was first Lady ahead of Dromore’s Janette Bailie.
AMH and East Down AC wish to thank all who helped with the presentation of the event, especially Kenny and the staff at Delamont who welcomed us and put their resources at our disposal.
NEXT WEEK
The Bangor Aurora 10K and the as yet unpermitted Causeway Coast Marathon
take place next Saturday 27th if anyone is interested and can be bothered to go, though they’re much further away and more expensive.
Joe Quinn
22 September 2014