A new course, a new distance, a new record turnout and a new winner all combined with a “new” type of weather i.e. sunny and warm in August to ensure that Thursday night’s Road Race and Fun Run in Darragh Cross was one to remember. Taking local advice the organisers plotted a new route, which substituted a long section on the very dangerous Carrickmannon Rd with a not much safer stretch at Carsonstown and along the Saintfield Road, but excluded the Raffrey section of earlier years. In the event the new route proved popular with all but the flat earth society, who might as well look for the end of the rainbow as try to find a “flat” course in Co. Down.
SUCCESS FOR SCOTT
Another new name went on the winners list too as young Scott McKeag from the Ballydrain club gave notice of his burgeoning talent with a fine 36.43 , incidentally 51 seconds better than his 5th place last year, with club mate Richard Coey just 10 seconds behind, and East Down’s
James Savage 37.14 completing the podium places. Beechmount’s Colin Drain took the Over 35 prize with Declan Teague 39.10, if somewhat forgetful nowadays, showing he has not forgotten how to run fast claiming the Over 45 prize and North Down’s Gerry Coy taking the Over 55 award. John Manley has become a regular supporter of all the local races and always contributes a fine performance while Colm McNeill was another who fought out an exciting finish with Ballydrain’s Jennifer Wilson.
LADIES RACE
Catherine O’Connor once again took top spot in the Ladies race ahead of Laura Graham 39.39 and Debbie Matchett 40.56. Ciaran Denvir 39.27 in10th place was the only other runner to break 40 minutes while Liam Smtyh 41.30, Mark O’Connor 41.44 and Niamh Kellett 43.01 also showing steadily improving form. Cheryl Denvir took the Over 35 Category prize, with Amanda Perry 41.32 and Ruth Perioli 42.09 claiming Over 45 and Over 55 prizes respectively. Noreen Kerr 58.05 continued her rehabilitation to the sport, featuring in a fine sprint finish alongside NICSAC’s Shirley Telford.
FUN RUN
Ballydrain’s Michael Burgess 22.04 led home the 10 strong East Down squad in the 3.5 Miles Fun Run with Owen Edwards 22.12 and Matthew McGrattan 23.06 filling the minor positions.. Edie Carroll took the Female title from clubmate Hannah Gilliland with Clare McKenna in third place.
BRIGHT 10K
It appears that the glut of fixtures over a packed week, weekend and month so far finally had its inevitable outcome at Bright on Sunday morning when a total of just 46 runners took on the 10K race and 5K Fun Run, organised by East Down AC in conjunction with Bright GAC and Rossglass County FC. It was indeed a pity that many more missed the opportunity to savour the scenic rural charm of a route which criss crosses the long abandoned, but still clearly visible Downpatrick to Killough railway line, on an ideal warm, sunny day. As last year East Down took the first 3 places in the Men’s race, Martin Wilcox leading the way with a fine 36.20 time, followed by Barrie Atkinson 36.47 and Andrew Telford 40.11.
North Down’s Andrew Muir 44.53 took the Male Over 35 prize.
A special word for Daniel Atkinson who completed his first ever 10K in a splendid 42.12, giving him first Junior and 5th place overall. Well Done to him.
ADVICE
This was Barrie’s second outing of a planned 3 sessions for the day as he steps up his training for the Jersey Marathon in October. He is presently contending with a leg injury and could do worse than to cut back on what are often described as “junk miles” – the ones we do to make up a weekly total because that’s what the training schedule says, but which in effect don’t add anything to our overall fitness and – some would say, actually start to detract from it.
LADIES
The Ladies section was won by East Down’s Niamh Kellett 43.08 who also ran on Thursday night in Darragh Cross in what it is hoped will be the first of many with Orangegrove’s Lyndsey Pronger 45.02 with Gemma Toner 46.56 in third. Mourne Runners Virginia Ervine 48.51 was the winner of the Over 35 category.
5K FUN RUN
The 5K race was won in fine style by East Down’s James Smyth in 18.43, just over one minute ahead of clubmate Owen Edwards 19.49 in second with local lad Jordan Rogan 24.55 in third. James win came just days after his outstanding showing, 30.42 and 30th overall place, in the Coleraine 5 Mile Road Race on Wednesday night. Edie Caroll 20.54 won the Female section with her clubmates Hannah Gilliland 21.51 and Aoife Cochrane 23.25 second and third respectively.
FROM ONE EXTREME
Before all this relaxing running however Michael Cultra was doing his times tables in the Mournes competing in the Seven Sevens and coming up with 55, his remarkable placing after 5 hours 1 minute and 36 seconds of effort.
TO ANOTHER
Not to be outdone the remarkable and inspirational Linda Cunningham went to Donegal, surely a challenge in itself? To take part in the Extreme North Quadrathon event, a series offering 4 marathons over 4 different routes in 4 days. Cleverly though Linda only went for the last 2 days meaning she only had the option of doing two – and she did them in he company of sister Jackie who runs for Murlough – typical family day out!
I take my well worn cap off to them both and to Michael too – Super efforts but what next? The Killyleagh 5 on 28th and Strangford 10 K on Saturday 29th, that really would be a challenge!
COMING EVENTS
There are several of very interesting events coming up in the next few weeks which all local runners will not want to miss.
ON TO THE KILLYLEAGH 5 MILES
On Friday 28th August the ever popular Killyleagh Five Mile race , now in its 13th year takes place at 7.30pm, with entries in the Bridge Centre from 6.00pm. it will be preceded by a Primary School Under 11 years race at 6.30pm. A new Under16 Club Team race for teams of 4 will also be held at 6.50 with a team trophy for best Clib teams. All entries taken on the night. All proceeds from the race will go to the local branch of the Alzheimers Society so a big turnout is requested for this very worthy cause. Entry fee is only £9/£10 so it’s not a breaking matter. Further information from John Huddleston 07519460046 or Joe Quinn 07933214894
STRANGFORD FESTIVAL 10K
On Saturday 29th the action switches to Strangford for the Festival 10K, which this year will also include a 5K Fun Run. Online entries open at www.athleticsni.org or on the day.
MILL HILL MILE
Tuesday 2 September at 7.00pm in Castlewellan – put the date in your diary – Be there!
Joe Quinn
17 August 2015