Last week began for me, as most of them do, on Wednesday, which is the day our local weeklies, the Recorder and Observer, hit the streets. A word of praise and thanks here to both for their superb coverage of athletics over the past months, especially of the Hill and Dale series, carrying reports, pictures and results of virtually every running thing.
LOUGHINISLAND 5.05
Wednesday night was also the 9th running of the Loughinisland 5.05 miles race which saw East Down’s Brendan Teer cruise to victory ahead of club mate Barrie Atkinson with Newcastle’s Martin Melville in 3rd thus preventing a clean sweep of podium positions for the County town club. James Savage in 4th place took the over 35 prize with Over 45 honours going to Annadale’s Paul Carroll with Albertville’s William Roberts taking the Over 55 prize.
WELCOME BACK
A notable feature of this race was the re-appearance of East Down founder member Liam “Minder” Smyth, who, 25 years after his last race, recorded a significant 36.04. Needless to say he has moved up a few age categories since but will prove an undoubted asset to the Club when he fine tunes his fitness further. Welcome Back. Good to see Declan Teague back in the colours again after his sojourn in the South Atlantic, his 31.46 for 9th place proving he travels well.
LADIES
Catherine O’Connor continued East Down’s dominance in the Ladies race, recording 34.01 on the challenging course, on a warm, humid evening, more suited to spectating than running. Newcastle’s Sinead Murtagh was second in 34.27 while East Down’s Laura Gardiner was 3rd in 35.40. East Down also claimed victory in the Over 35 and Over 50 categories with Alison Gilliland 37.18 and Roisin Gaffney 47.14 respectively continuing their recent good form. A welcome return too for Deirdre Mount who has been missed from the scene for a while. Bridgid McDonald unattached was the victor in he Over 45 category.
In the Fun Run East Down’s Edie Carroll, 18.44 took the 1st Lady prize with the overall winner’s trophy going to her clubmate James Smyth, recording a superb 16.21.
HASTE YE BACK 2016
Overall the between the two events this was the biggest turnout in the history of the race and it is intended that next year’s 10th anniversary celebration will be something special. Loughinisland GAC pass on their thanks to all who supported the races over the years and invite everyone back on the last Wednesday in June 2016.
HILL and DALE
Next night Hill and Dale junkies could have been forgiven for suffering withdrawal symptoms as after 10 Thursdays in a row throwing themselves off mountains and slogging through rivers and bogs the series chooses Friday night to end it all. So buoyed up by an extra day’s rest the intrepid band of “full series fanatics” and “six’ll do me’s”made their way to Donard park on Friday evening for the short run to the mast on Drinnahilly and back, though many were more preoccupied by the thought of the post race refreshments and presentations in O’Hare’s than the immediate problem of the climb. I was surprised to discover that the turnout was one of the smallest of the series with only 186 finishers though many had already done their best 6 and were ready to party, or possibly had turned up on Thursday as usual?
Michael Cultra confirmed his position as top East Down man of the series with a top 20 place, Dee Murray as usual not far behind and “find of the season” Ciaran Denvir also in the top 30. Raymond Milligan had an excellent series too while Mickey Cunningham and Paddy McDonald , both freshmen, were comparing weight loss, with a total of 4 stones being mentioned. Wendy and John Findlay I think were “full series” winners with Janine Murray like myself leaving it until the last chance saloon to qualify for the rucksack award.
I only did the minimum 6 but have to say that it was the most enjoyable season I have experienced and an absolute lifesaver in terms of my enthusiasm for running.
BRIAN CHAMP AGAIN
Top of the pile once again however goes to Brian Hamilton who successfully defended his Over 65 title, though it was only decided on the last night, such was the competition from Fred Strickland and Ricky Cowan.
THANKS TO ALL
My thanks go to all the organisers and especially those volunteers ( I think they were volunteers anyway) who positioned themselves at the remotest points on the mountains to provide the necessary check points, often in the grimmest of weather, to make the races possible. My gratitude to you all. Just one question – how do you manage to get there ahead of us all?
ARDS HALF MARATHON
Also on Friday night the Ards Half Marathon which was also host to the NI Half Marathon Championships took place with East Down’s Clare Carson 1.59 and Gareth Fegan1.54 happy to duck under 2 hours on a very difficult course.
RUN for PAUL
Put together at very short notice the Run for Paul Charity 5Krun and walk and 10K race took place in Delamont Country Park on Sunday morning to raise funds for Paul Brannigan, who urgently needs to undergo expensive laser treatment in London for a form of lung cancer, not treatable by conventional means, and not currently available on the NHS. It was a resounding success with 170 runners, walkers, a few children’s buggies and their occupants and several dogs taking part. After a dull and damp start the sun came out and in spite of the difficult nature of the course everyone completed their chosen distance with smiles on their faces. The icing on the cake was that Paul himself was there, together with his wife and members of his family, given a tremendous welcome by all participants, and took part in the 10K. The race was won by Brendan Teer with Kent Swann North Belfast Harriers second, and Hannah Oldroyd from Yorkshire first lady and 3rd overall. To underline the difficulty of the route, which to the great satisfaction of the organisers, and totally accidentally and miraculously, measured exactly 10K, these were the only runners to break the 40 minute barrier. The 5K was won by Amando Bamisile with Roisin Hughes North Belfast first lady home. Afterwards a feast of food and drink was provided in the sunshine by supporters and Paul thanked everyone who had helped in any way before leaving with their well wishes ringing in his ears.
WHAT’S ON IN THE WEEKS AHEAD
So what’s to do this weekend? Well on Saturday 4th July the Comber Potato 10K promoted by the thriving Ballydrain Harriers club, makes a re-appearance after a near 30 year absence. After the Portaferry Ten miles and Relay Races are on Tuesday 21 July with Ballykinlar 10K and 5K Fun Run scheduled for Sunday 25th and the RGU 10K and Relay on Wednesday 29th July there is plenty to keep the dust off the trainers over the next few weeks.
AND WHAT’S NOT
Runners should note that the Shore 10K in Killough, scheduled for 11th July, has been postponed until Saturday 12 September beginning at 11.00am.
Joe Quinn
29 June 2015