Far from ideal conditions greeted the almost 1000 runners for the Seeley Cup 10K on Saturday in Belfast’s Ormeau Park, with strong winds, lower than of late temperatures and threatening showers on the menu. Not weather conducive to fast running according to those in the know. However as always in such instances someone always comes along with an eye catching pb to confound the critics.
OFF COLOUR?
As ever eyes are usually fixed on the leading runners, though life is not made easier for those of us for whom 20/20 vision is a distant memory, by the failure of some East Down runners to wear the Club colours. They are after all the acknowledged means of standing out from the rest, the means by which spectators can, from a distance, see where their runners are. And while we can all make comments about which optician I should or should not go to, it is somewhat disconcerting when supporters of other clubs and members of the general public ask why don’t they? Don’t know!! So I ask too – Why not? As it was I didn’t see our top finisher at all, even though he passed me on three occasions and our next two I saw only once.
First of the East Down contingent to finish this year was Neil McCartan, better known in recent times for his exploits on the track, but no mean performer on the roads or grass when he turns his attention to either. A sparkling display to clock 33.04 gave him a top 20 position though no doubt he will be disappointed not to break 33 minutes – as most of us would be! Next home was Barrie Atkinson, a few seconds slower than last year yet equalling his 24th placing.
DANIEL SURVIVES THE LION’S DEN
But the first really mouth watering performance of the day came from Barrie’s younger son Daniel who was aiming to follow in big brother Caolan’s footsteps last year when he took the Junior title in 37.22. Well Daniel didn’t quit do that, he was 4th in that now hotly contested category, but his reward was that his time of 36.22 was 64 seconds faster than Caolan’s and was a remarkable debut performance in his first 10K race.
FASTER BUT FURTHER BACK?
Comparisons with previous performances can be misleading though as evidenced by several East Down men. Francis Tumelty knocked 5 seconds off last year’s time but was 2 places further back while Paul Burns, with 37.32 was 2 seconds faster but 13 places worse off, while Dee Murray, 38.21, was 33 seconds faster but 2 places behind his 2014 place. Yet Gerard McAuley who dropped just 5 seconds yet lost almost 50 places as a result. Nevertheless this was still an excellent result for Gerard, coming as it did on the eve of another big birthday.
Declan Teague was more than happy with his 39.03, after recent exertions in the Dublin marathon. Gareth Kelly’s 42.33 was a new pb yet he suffered a similar fate to Gerard though Gavin Hynds had no such difficulty as his 43.04 was his first posting for this event. Gary Cull too had his best run for ages clocking 43.17 and Denis McKay 55.28 comfortably broke the hour as he works his way back to form.
THE LADIES SPARKLE
Overall the East Down entry was down from 25 to 15 from last year and featured only 3 of our ladies. Niamh Kellett 41.27 led the trio home, an excellent run considering she was nursing a thigh injury and Carmel Tumelty clipped 30 seconds off her time from 2 years ago – Well done Carmel – but the icing on the cake was supplied by Alison Carroll whose 47.50 took 1 minute and 50 seconds off last year’s time. Obviously the acupuncture treatment she received 3 weeks ago in Ballyclare, while not recommended for all, worked wonders for her!
McGRADY’S FINANCIAL SERVICES JUNIOR CROSS COUNTRY SERIES
A huge commendation is here accorded to all the boys and girls from East Down, Newcastle, Dromore, Three Ways and host club Burrren AC who travelled to Kilbroney Park and turned out on Sunday afternoon in the third round of this year’s series despite the threat of monsoons and gale force winds. Certainly the weather was kinder than earlier in the day but tribute is also due to parents and coaches who took the risk of postponement and transported the children and cheered on every child to the finish line.
There were East Down wins for brother and sister Leo and Lauren Madine, Edie Carroll and Laura Gardiner, second places for Jodi and Kirsti Foster, Hannah Gilliland , James Smyth and Aoife Cochrane and 3rd places for Kieran Trainor, Phoebe McCreesh, Anna Gardiner and Mackenzie Murray with Alexander Robinson, Ella Telford, Grace Savage, Emer McMullan Oliver Robinson, Anthony Clarke, Molly McCloy, Jamie McDowell, Lucy Foster, KaraTrainor, Caoimin Gracey, Niamh Savage, James Gilliland, Michael O’Connor, Neva Loudon, Iona Bunbury, Olivia Lacey, Marianna Clarke, Thomas Brown, Harry Brown, Aimee McCloy, Ella Carroll, Laura Green, Elisha Surginor, Matthew McGrattan and Chris O’Connor all contributing to the East Down points total.
All deserve great credit and certainly put many of their older club members to shame.
NEXT WEEK – GRASS and GRIDDLE
It’s back to the grass again next Saturday when Cross Country League action resumes at the Malcolm Cup fixture in Ballyclare.
And then on Sunday the challenge is to Survive the Griddle! This promises to be one of the races of the year, with increased prize money, bonuses for new course records and T shirts for the first 200 entrants. The course has also been officially measured for the first time and chip timing will ensure accuracy.
A Relay category has also been introduced for the first time with the changeover point at Ballyalton, where the 5K Fun Run also starts. Organisers say if you’re intending to run please enter online at www.athleticsni.org as on the day entries will cost more. As most runners tend to be careful with their pennies, then saving £2 must be music to their ears. On the subject of which please do not wear headphones while running.
Joe Quinn