RGU 10K ROAD RACE and RELAY
In the absence of all previous winners there was always going to be a new name on the roll of honour of this year’s RGU 10K Road Race, held in ideal conditions on last Wednesday night. Newcastle AC fielded the nucleus of their Rockets squad from last weekend in Castleblaney and swept the board by winning all the Male categories except for the Over 55’s and also won the Ladies race. Host club East Down had to settle for 2nd overall, with another fine run from Barrie Atkinson, while Ed Dunbar from Moray Road Runners took third place. Newcastle extended their domination by taking the Man’s Over 35 and Over 45 prizes, through Paul Byrne and John Kelly respectively
LADIES RESULTS
The Ladies race saw last year’s runner up Newcastle’s Sinead Murtagh claim the winner’s accolade this time, Diane Watson from City of Lisburn improving last years third place by one and Patricia McKibben Murlough AC, taking the third podium position. The Over 35, over 45 and Over 55 prizes went to Susan Smyth, Dromore AC, Alison Carroll, East Down, and Anne McCormick Murlough respectively
RELAY
The relay was won by the East Down pairing of Daniel Atkinson and Andrew Telford while last year’s winners of the Female category East Down’s Hannah Gilliland and Edie Carroll held onto their title.
COOKSTOWN HALF MARATHON
Gareth Fegan and Davy Foster made the long journey to Cookstown for the annual Half Marathon on Sunday in which James Magennis was more than happy to clock 1.41
MUCKHOGS MARATHON OMAGH
This “quaintly” named event was always likely to catch the attention of some of East Down’s “seekers of the different” races. And so it proved on Sunday past when a combined East Down/Murlough AC squad made their way to the less quaintly named Gortrush Industrial Estate to take on the delights of the Omagh countryside over Marathon and Half Marathon distances, for the very worthy Cash for Kids charity. Pre race publicity stated “This is an all road run up through Omagh town and then a scenic route to pigeon top”. In my experience pigeons are not lowland, earthbound creatures so it was no great surprise to have it later described as “very hilly” by ultimate endurance man Simon McGrattan. I think we get the picture.
Anyway in the absence of the official results the performance of the day award goes to Mickey Cunningham who clocked an incredible 4 hours and ten minutes despite having taken a turn for the worse in the final 10K. It also marked the return to the running scene of Frank McCann, who took on the half marathon together with Bernice, what a truly inspiring couple. The understated but utterly determined Eithne McGrattan also deserves a mention as she eyes up next weeks Ballycastle to Portrush ultra marathon, posting 5.42.
On Friday night Michael McKeown took part in the Giants Trail 10K and was first Male O/50 in 45.55.
GERRY DUFFY at EAST DOWN
East Down was honoured on Thursday night to welcome Gerry Duffy to its Clubrooms where the champion Ironman athlete and well known endurance runner gave an inspirational talk to a good crowd. The Club is extremely grateful to Gerry, who has delivered motivational presentations to multi national companies, for giving up his valuable time to be with them.
DARRAGH CROSS
The Darragh Cross 10K and 5K Fun Run has moved to a new day and time, scheduled this year for Sunday 14th August at 1.00pm. This year’s charity is Bloodwise, so please give it your support.
KILLYLEAGH CHARITY HALF MARATHON
Plans are well advanced in the organisation of the Killyleagh Half Marathon and 3 person Relay which is taking place on Saturday 27 August – please note revised start time of 10.30 am – in aid of the Alzheimers Society. Local traders and businesses have proved supportive with sponsorship and a great day is in prospect. This will be the first ever half marathon in Killyleagh and it is hoped that all local runners will come and be part of this historic event.
Joe Quinn