NEWS FROM DEEP SOUTH
A report from the Southern Ocean last week revealed that while Declan Teague is a fair weather predictor he is far from being a fair weather runner if his experiences of running in the Falklands Marathon 2 weeks ago are anything to go by. Describing underfoot conditions as “similar to Tollymore trails without the trees, with a strong headwind and a fair bit of hills on a 4 lap cross- shaped course which resulted in good support” he was delighted to clock 3.36 and to take 2nd place overall. Well Done Declan. A long way to go for a run but he happened to be there anyway!
QUEENS ROAD RACES
Further north on Wednesday night and several excellent performances by East Down athletes in the Queen’s Road Races, incorporating the ANI 5K Championships, with Daniel Atkinson’s 18.33 raising the eyebrows as he led home the East Down men in 123rd place followed by Liam Keenan 140th and brother Caolan in 145 place in a field of over 700. Kristoffer Fegan 19.40, his brother Gareth 21.10 and Kieran McMahon 21.44 were only separated by a little over 2 minutes but such were the numbers and quality of the athletes that this represented over 100 places! Clare Carson was the only lady runner from East Down on the night and she posted 22.53.
In the 3K race James Smyth made a welcome e-appearance to take a splendid 10th place in 10.20, just 3 seconds with another too long absentee Paddy Erskine with Liam Smyth 11.38 and Ian McCracken 15.59 making up the East Down team.
HILL and DALE
Thursday night was Race 2 in the Hill and Dale series, and as usual the numbers were up on last week’s opener. Pre race instructions referred to the wee mountain with no name but I heard it very distinctly given several unflattering titles, most of which I would have re-echoed if I’d had the energy.
As I this race last year Michael Cultra led the East Down contingent home, finishing 16th from Stephen Heasley and Davy Foster with impressive first time outings for Stephen Cassidy and John and Wendy Findlay and another excellent contribution from Jonny Kelly.
BALLYNAHINCH LIONS 10K AND 5K FUN RUN
On to Saturday and the focus of attention was Ballynahinch where the hard working Lions Club under the enthusiastic leadership of Alan Simms had rejuvenated the annual 10K and 5K Fun Run, removing the infamous steps and introducing a new 
Team prize in the 10K race. Although pleased with the geographical spread of entrants, runners from Enniskilen, Omagh, Ballymena and Larne , not to mention one from Barnsley AC, as well as local clubs, and the quality of the field, the top 16 finishers all broke 40 minutes, Alan was nonetheless a little disappointed with the overall numbers. While the 5K attracted a fantastic 500 plus entry, less than 120 completed the 2 lap challenge. However I have no doubt that when the visitors spread the word to their fellow club runners and the team competition gets a better airing that this event will grow and grow. Add the fact that the refreshments afterwards and the prize fund are second to none then I believe that like the Field of Dreams concept “Build it and they will come”. It can take a considerable amount of time for some races to “catch on” so the adage has to be “keep on keepin’ on”.
TOP CLASS RUNNERS
Anyway for those who did take part it was a great event, won in fine style by Omagh’s Stephen Duncan from Newcastle’s David O’Flaherty with Glens Runners Jonny Steede in third place – attracting three of NI’s top runners can’t be bad.
TEAM TROPHY
The Team competition was won by East Down whose 3 Female scorers were Alison Carroll, Clare Forster and Oonagh Breteche backed up by the 3 Male scores Martin Willcox, Davy Foster and Stephen Heasley. They were the first recipients of the Ballynahinch Lions Team Shield This is actually a very good innovation and one which I hope will catch on – enter teams of 5 Men and 5 Women and the top 3 of each will count towards the overall team score. It will mean that everyone will have an incentive to finish in the best possible position.
THE FUN RUN
This part of the event attracted almost 500 participants and was enjoyed by everyone. Superb shields were on offer for the first Under 16 Boy and Girl to finish and were won by Harry Bell and Jodi Foster respectively.
JAMES O’ HARE
East Down are delighted to welcome back former top Junior and presently one of the best senior runners in NI, James O’Hare and are looking forward to his partnership with Brendan Teer, Neil McCartan, Barrie Atkinson and the other leading runners in the club.
BRENDAN TEER’S FATHER – RIP
It was with great sadness that we learned of the sudden death last week of Brendan Teer’s father Patrick (Patsy). It was evident from the attendance at his wake and funeral last Friday that Patsy and his wife and family are held in the highest esteem by everyone who know them. It will take a long time to recover from the shock which such an unexpected departure brings. The Committee and members of East Down Athletics Club extend to Brendan, his brother Anthony and mother Geraldine and the entire family circle sincere condolences at this very sad time and assure them of our ongoing prayers and support in the months ahead.
EDDIE WILSON MBE – RIP
Another very good friend of East Down AC also passed away in the past week Eddie Wilson MBE, a former ANI president and top official, was a great supporter of everything which East Down did and I can say that had it not been for him, the Club may well have folded several years ago. After the death of Jimmy Murray, the club was struggling to carry on, enthusiasm was waning and morale was low. On what I had decided was going to be my last day with the club, when we had a small junior team competing in a cross country meeting in Jordanstown, Eddie approached me to say how pleased he was that East Down were carrying on after Jimmy’s demise and congratulated us on the great job we were doing! Needless to say I couldn’t pack it in after that and the rest, as they say is history. He was gentleman with a droll sense of humour and although absent from the scene in recent years, due to the ravages of Alzheimers, he will be sorely missed by all who knew and respected him. Sleep easy Eddie. RIP
LONDON 2016
Barrie Atkinson was again prominent in Sunday’s marathon and crossed the line in 2.49, a little slower than last year but given his injury problems over the past few months he should be more than happy with that time. Carmel Tumelty also enjoyed her first experience and posted a superb 4 hours and 29 minutes. Well done.
BELFAST MARATHON
We started with a marathon and it’s appropriate that we finish on a similar note. Monday is Belfast Marathon Day and for all of us who are contemplating it and who haven’t done the miles it’s also squeaky bum time. Good luck to everyone who is running from East Down – I hope to see you at the finish – if you wait long enough – and just to add I’m running for The Cure Parkinson’s Trust and if anyone would care to visit www.justgiving.com Joe’s page I will gratefully accept any sponsorship you wish to donate. My thanks to all who have so far donated not only for your money but for your words of encouragement. It’s a long time since I ran 26.2 miles so if you’re near the route on Monday all expressions of support will be appreciated, especially in the latter stages – I’m also running as part of the Quinntettes Relay team, comprising me and my four daughters, so that I’ll have company all the way round.
DOWNPATRICK LIONS 3 LAKES CHARITY RACE
The next big event locally is the 3 Lakes Race on Saturday 14 May starting at 11.00am and with a Fun Run over 7K and a 15K for the more experienced runners a big turnout is eagerly anticipated to raise funds for the Downs Syndrome Association, the Lions designated Charity this year.
While entries will be taken from 9.00am on the day runners are encouraged to enter online at www.athleticsni.org if possible
Joe Quinn
25 April 2016