DARRAGH CROSS CHARITY 6 MILE RACE AND FUN RUN
Like last year Darragh Cross attracted heavy rain during the afternoon of race day though thankfully it relented as race time approached, enabling the course signs to be erected and the race to take place in pretty much ideal running conditions.

64 men and women contested the 6 mile race but only 2 turned out for the Fun Run, which was won in fine style by Daniel Atkinson in 28.42, over a minute quicker than last year, with Laura Green second.
First of the 6 milers to return was East Down’s Brendan Teer, 32.03 with Newcastle’s Deon McNeilly 34.55 next and the ubiquitous Richard Coey, now happily with Ballydrain Harriers in 3rd.

The race also marked the reappearance of Michael Cultra after his heroic 100 miles in 24 hour a few weeks ago . He recorded a highly commendable 43.10 so should soon be taking to the roads

Category prizes went to Paul Burns 37.09 in the Male Over/35, Colin Stevenson Ballydrain, in the O/45 ad Norman Mawhinney in the O/50 group. Lisa Milligan nd Noreen Kerr took the Over 35 and Over 50 prizes respetively with Ballydrain’s Heather Kelly taking t he O/45 category prize.

FRIENDS OF CANCER CENTRE, CITH HOSPITAL
The proceeds from the races will this year go to the Friends of Cancer Centre, Belfast City Hospital and a big Thank You goes to all who supported the event by taking part, the PSNI for controlling the traffic and the ladies who provided and served the post race refreshments.

THE SHORE 10K for NAISCOIL CHILL LOCHA
In spite of forecasts of heavy rain and gale force winds on Saturday, the reality was much more benign and while a little blustery in places and with mist and low cloud obscuring Newcastle across the bay, conditions were nevertheless good for the first ever road race in Killough. The race was to raise much needed funds for Naiscoil Chill Locha and was generously supported by John Fitzsimons, proprietor of the Anchor Bar in the village’s Castle St.

Like most of the local races the field was headed, from just past the 1st kilometre distance at least, by our own Brendan Teer. The fact that he was in relative comfort and not even breaking sweat was due to him driving the lead car and like his racing performances, there was never a chance he would be caught. Not that the chasing pack didn’t try mind you, with Brian Young and David O’Flaherty contesting the lead almost from the off, pursued by Ballydrain’s Richard Coey, East Down’s Paul Burns, Mark McDowell and Declan Teague and North Down’s Terry Eakin. Ultimately though it was Young who prevailed, sprinting away from O’ Flaherty, having dropped Coey earlier, and setting the course record at 35.44. Coey and Eakin took the Over 35 and Over 45 prizes respectively. On a day when Gerard McAuley 42.04, and Raymond Milligan 41.50, set new pbs for the distance it was also the day when everyone set their own pb for the course. A special word here on the ever improving performances of Michael McCreesh 48.45 as he continues to improve his 10K times.

LADIES IN WAITING
In the Ladies contest Cheryl Denvir again got the better of Catherine O’ Connor, with Elizabeth Leitch taking the Over 35 prize and Virginia Ervine the Over45 category.

COLM’S DAY
A prodigious performance too from Colm Surginor who completed his first ever Half Ironman Triathlon on Sunday covering the 1.9K run, 90K cycle ride and 21K run in just 7 hours. Well Done to him.

COMING EVENTS
There are a number of very exciting events coming up in the next few weeks which all local runners will not want to miss. On Friday 30th August the ever popular Killyleagh Five Mile race , now in its 11th year takes place at 7.30pm, with entries in the Bridge Centre from 6.00pm and it will be preceded by Primary School and Under 16 races at 6.30pm. Both of these races will have team trophies for best school teams. All entries taken on the night. Contact John Huddleston 07519460046 or Joe Quinn 07933214894

MILL HILL MILE
On Tuesday 3rd September at 7.00pm Newcastle AC stage the Mill Hill Mile in Castlewellan, a unique challenge for runners of all ages with special prizes for everyone from age 7 upwards.

Joe Quinn
19 August 2013