As I stood on the start line of the Belfast City Marathon outside City Hall on Monday past I couldn’t help but remember that it was almost exactly 30 years ago that I stood on the same start line awaiting the signal for the start of my first ever attempt at the 26.2 miles distance. Incredibly I was experiencing all the same feelings of nervous excitement, a mixture of adrenaline and apprehension, as the 10 second countdown began as all those years ago. Apart from the location, the start line used to be outside Maysfield Leisure Centre everything else was the same, the buzz of anticipation, the hush of silence as runners drew their breath, before the cheer of exuberance erupted – except that when the hooter sounded my feet remained rooted to the ground as I bade farewell and shouted good luck to the thousands of runners who were participants as opposed to spectators at this great event.
THE TOP MEN
And then I headed back to the Finish line to await the arrival some hours later of those same runners. I was keen to see how Jimmy’s Ten winner and Project Africa athlete Gideon Kimosop would fare, after his impressive build up to the race and early reports were that he was in the lead alongside last year’s runner up and pre-race favourite and Fellow Kenyan Joel Kositany. It was only in the last mile that Kositany managed to assert his superiority to win in a time of 2.19.36, just 53 seconds ahead of Gideon with Tamas Nagy from Hungary in 3rd and Northern Ireland’s Eddie McGinley, also a former winner of Jimmy’s Ten in 4th place. This year’s runner up in Jimmy’s Ten Vincent Chepyegon also franked that form by finishing 7th overall in 2.27.22.
THE FT INDEX?
Next the wait for the first East Down man to cross the finish line and while quietly confident that good things were about to happen I was nevertheless a little apprehensive, knowing what the unforgiving marathon distance can do to the best laid plans. Murlough’s Alan Johnston swept in, a superb 2.56.40 in 33rd place. Imagine my relief, excitement and utter joy when the unmistakable yellow sash on the bright red background appeared at the entrance to the finishing chute with the clock still not having reached 3 hours. Taking his example from Barrie Atkinson’s magnificent 2.36 in London 2 weeks ago, Francis Tumelty confirmed his arrival as a top class runner, grabbing 48th place in 2.59.09.
And then the rush began as the runners poured in in their hundreds, among them the next East Down men Michael Cultra 3.17.43, and an unnecessarily disappointed Gerard McAuley 3.19.51. Some friendly, though probably unwanted, advice Michael choose a marathon and train specifically for it over a 3 month period. You would duck below the 3 hour barrier with something to spare.
Billy Logue set another PB with 3.37 running with Mick McCreesh and Kristoffer Fegan with Michael McKeown 3.42 recovering well from London just behind Raymond Milligan. Gavin Oakes again demonstrated his pacing ability, bringing his sub 4 hour group home in 3.58.47. The new slimline Charlie Ataliotis was hapy with his 4.09.40 clocking while John Smith may have paid the price for a too fast first half yet managed 4.21.05. Gary Small on his debut may have had a similar experience but nevertheless persevered for a 5.07.15 timing.
LADIES DO IT TOO
Cathy Burke set a new target for herself with a splendid negative split run crossing the line in 4.01.12. Sub 4 next Cathy? And in similar pb mode was Helen Vint whose time of 4.06.20 knocked a massive 7 minutes off her previous best. Well done to you both. Liz O’ Hagan too improved her time to 4.10.29 and wit was great to see Kim Surginor back in marathon mode again, raising money for Marie Curie in the process and clocking a very respectable 4.14.02. Oonagh Breteche suffered from cramp from just after halfway yet still clocked 4.19.58 and looked like she could have gone round again. And the reliable Linda Cunningham came home in the company of the ever supportive Simon McGrattan in 4.47.49.
My apologies to any East Down runners I may have missed out on in this report. It is very difficult to check results when the Club names are not shown and when I’m relying on a not very reliable memory, but if you completed the 26.2 distance Congratulations to you all, you have my undying admiration. Perhaps I might join you next year?
HILL and DALE
It was the unique Binnian to the Top race on Thursday night, and with sunny, calm conditions the scenery was set. The announcement at the start was that 210 runners had turned up for the race so things were pretty crowded as the field wound its way up the roughest of lanes towards the foothills and the jagged peak beyond. Binnian is one of those races where taking up a good position at the start i.e. near the front, can pay dividends, as when the ascent begins in earnest on the narrow, slippery beaten track it is well nigh impossible to overtake. On the plus side though, being in a slow moving queue gives a chance to recover. Having reached the top and sat down it was explained to me that the earlier overheard comment that they send a helicopter to bring you down was merely a bit of banter. Anyway thanks to the attention of Ed Smith and Michael Cultra, clearly recovered from his marathon efforts on Monday – he finished 11th on Binnian – I was safely guided down again. It probably took me longer going down and is harder on the backside but I made it.
TOP 200
Much better than that though were Martin Wilcox 27th, James Savage 32nd, Gavin Oakes 40th and Phillip Vint 50th who all told me lies on the way down that I was nearly there. Raymond Milligan was 123rd another post marathon recovery run and Brian Hamilton who again came top of the Over 65 category. Close on his heels came the ever improving Mickey Cunningham and Paddy McDonald, both first season regulars, enjoying every minute of it and the ever consistent Wendy Findlay. Cheryl Denvir was the only other East Down lady to take part and I’m not sure the up, up and no away was to her liking. And Denis McKay made it the baker’s dozen East Down runners all in the top 200 finishers.
JUNIORS ON ROSTRUM
Owen Edwards recorded a super new pb when knocking 15 seconds off his previous time in the 1500 metres at the District A Senior Schools Track and Field meeting at Mary Peters Track last Friday
Daniel Atkinson won the 3000 metres at the North Down AC open meeting in Bangor 3 weeks ago in 10.29.50 and Ellen Erskine made a welcome return to the track with 6th and 4th in her 300 and 600 metres races.
Brendan Teer won the Senior 3,000 metres at the same venue in 9.02.78
DOWNPATRICK LIONS 3 LAKES CHARITY RACE
Next Saturday 16th morning is the day for the Downpatrick Lions 3 Lakes Race Challenge starting at 11.00am and with a Fun Run over 7K and a 14K for the more experienced runners a big turnout is eagerly anticipated. The designated Charity this year is the Downs Syndrome Association,
While entries will be taken from 9.00am on the day runners are encouraged to enter online at www.athleticsni.org if possible
Joe Quinn
10 May 2015