Does the date 15th April 15 mean anything to you? Something to do with the Titanic? No. The date the Magna Carta was signed? No. Daniel Atkinson’s birthday? Yes, but perhaps I should be even more specific and give the date as 15th April 2015? It should in fact have
been 7th April but the stork got sidetracked and miraculously it resulted in what for me became a “GRAND” day. Some of you may know that I have 4 daughters and 4 granddaughters, hence when people talk about “G8 meetings” it means something different to me than to others. So the later the arrival of the much anticipated new baby became, the more we were convinced it was another girl. The G8 would inevitably become G9. Imagine then the excitement and indeed shock when those 3 little words IT’S A BOY were uttered on last Wednesday evening. The effects of this announcement were immediate and in one respect at least, utterly devastating. In one fell swoop not only did it transform our thinking from Lily the Pink to Little Boy Blue, but it also wiped out the entire family strategy for dealing with the huge collection of hand me downs, gathered up over the past 40 years. Add to this the coincidence that it was also my eldest granddaughter’s 24th birthday and my grand niece’s 7th birthday and you’ll see why it was the grandest of grand days for me.
BACKGROUND
The new arrival’s paternal grandfather is the late, great Gerry Hassett, a boxer of considerable prowess in his heyday so the baby brings with him an enviable sporting pedigree. Gerry was nicknamed Joe Louis after the great former world heavyweight boxing champion, known as the Brown Bomber, and the baby’s Christian names will be Joseph Louis, but he’ll be known as Joe. I can’t think why that makes me feel very proud but in case he should decide to take up running and ask “What did you do in the war Granda?” I thought I’d better start posting some times for this century in case he thinks that anything before the new Millennium began is prehistoric.
HILL and DALE SERIES
And so I found myself on the start line in Castlewellan Forest Park at the first of this year’s Hill and Dale series, in the company of almost 300 other runners – I use the term loosely in my own case – but it’s great to be taking part again. I know that times set by women in long distance, mostly marathon races, where the fields are mixed are not officially recognised, because of the issue over whether some may receive unfair assistance, in terms of pacing, drafting etc from the men. Apart from First Aid, I don’t know what that sort of support is called when it applies the other way round. However I am more than grateful for the encouragement I had from my two Club colleagues Linda and Oonagh on the way up to Foxes Green. Luckily I didn’t set any record so don’t expect to hear from the authorities.
Best of the East Down’s proper runners were Michael Cultra 11th and Paul Burns 15th, with James Savage, Dee Murray and the ever improving Ciaran Denvir all making the top 40. Cheryl Denvir and Janine Murray both made sound starts to their series and it was good to see the John and Wendy Findlay out in club colours again. Paddy McDonald and Kieran McMahon dipped their toes in the Hill and Dale stream for the first time and by all accounts liked what they felt.
CATEGORY WIN FOR BRIAN
Best result of the night though was Brian Hamilton’s first place in the Over 65 category, as he sets down a positive marker to those who would seek to challenge him for the title he won last year.
In the Junior race Paul McMeekin was first in the Post Primary Boys race and Edie Carroll first in the Girls. Mackenzie Murray was first P6 finisher so set the standard for Mum and Dad later.
DERRY AIR
Wednesday was given added significance in that as part of Daniel’s birthday celebrations his Dad Barrie set a new pb of 15.57 when winning his age category and taking overall 4th place in the Bay Road 5K in Derry while at the same venue Francis Tumelty also won his category with a new pb 17.22.
BALLYNAHINCH LIONS 5 AND 1OK
On to Saturday and it was back on the road again as the popular Ballynahinch Lions races were held in warm sunshine over what is a challenging course. Brendan Teer signalled a return to race fitness with a comfortable success in the 10K, 2 minutes clear of the field with Newcastle’s David O’ Flaherty in 3rd. Dee Murray turned out again and posted 39.19, as good a recovery run as you’ll get.
In the 5K however, East Down’s juniors dominated, Caolan Atkinson winning overall, younger brother Daniel having attained age 15 on Wednesday, taking 2nd Under 16 place and Edie Carroll picking up the Shield for first Under 16 Girl to emulate Laura Gardiner’s success of 2014.
CASTLEWARD 10K AND HALF MARATHON
Sinead Kinsella and Cathy Degan represented East Down interests in the Born2Run 10K in Castleward on Saturday morning and Michael McKeown 1.37 and Mickey Cunningham 1.58 did an equally impressive job in the Half marathon.
JOG AROUND THE BOG
And a final plea to all runners for their support this Saturday when the very first Jog around the Bog takes place in Peatlends Park near Dungannon. This event is organised on behalf of Guide Dogs NI and promises to be an exciting day. There is an unique course, which is flat and scenic, includes peat based paths and long stretches of boardwalk and with a special medal and post race refreshments for all finishers it is not to be missed. Anyone taking part in the Hill and Dale series will certainly enjoy this so please come along. Online entry at www.athleticsni.org has been extended until today Wednesday 22 April but entries will also be taken on the day but at increased cost.
Joe Quinn
20 April 2015