HILL AND DALE
Slieve Lough Shannagh, round 7 of the Hill and Dale series and not only did I not take part in this one but due to early travel plans for next day, did not even venture to spectate. However East Down had 7 runners at what I regard as the toughest of the whole series, an opinion borne out, though only just, by the smallest field to date. Be that as it may there were 200 finishers who perhaps would argue otherwise. Ciaran Denvir was first East Down man home in 52nd place, followed by Phillip Vint 77th Mickey Cunningham 136th, Wendy Findlay 155th getting the better of John on this occasion, Brian Hamilton 157th John Findlay 167th and our only lady runner Cheryl Denvir in 181st From my knowledge and memory of this race, just finishing is worthy of the highest praise.
PRETTY MUDDY 5K
On Saturday all of Kim Surginor’s ever spoken words of parental advice to her children to avoid jumping in puddles went out the window when she joined her daughters Catherine, Elisha and Grace together with other East Down juniors to take part in the Pretty Muddy Race for Life Cancer Research Charity event in Ormeau Park, Belfast. Judging by the expressions at the finish everyone enjoyed the experience which involved not only jumping in muddy puddles but also crawling through muddy obstacles.But Mum was there so that’s all right then!
WALLED CITY MARATHON
On Sunday almost 2,000 runners took part in the 3rd Walled City marathon, with Jimmy’s Ten winner Gideon Kimosop doing well to take 4th place in 2.30, a commendable effort at this level following his 2nd placing in the Belfast Marathon less than 4 weeks ago. Another doing the double and the only East Down representative was Michael McKeown in 4.28, a relatively slow time for him but given the weather on the day, his recent heavy race schedule and recovery from injury, it was nevertheless a commendable effort.
ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SAN DIEGO MARATHON
A little further afield Andrew Telford was flying the flag in California, taking part in the San Diego Marathon and doing splendidly by posting 3 hours 17 minutes and 10 seconds for overall 129th place. Don’t know how much rock ‘n’ roll he had to do but with a time like that he clearly has the footwork for a Strictly Come dancing, if not Riverdance, career! Well done to him.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Next Saturday is the annual Mourne Way compendium of races, ranging from 10K, through Half and Full marathon all the way to Ultra (double marathon) distance.
LOUGHINISLAND 5.05
Following that there is the Loughinisland 5.05 miles race on 24 June at 7.40pm with the 3 Mile Fun Run at 7.30pm. This race has got to be the best value for money anywhere with entry fees still only £6 for Registered (£7 Unregistered) runners in the Main race, the same as when it was first run in 2007!! Where else would you get that? Why pay more for less? Entries taken on the night from 6.00pm in the GAC clubrooms with post race refreshments afterwards..
Joe Quinn
1 June 2015