LARNE HALF MARATHON
On the weekend when Mo Farah set a new best time for the half marathon distance by a European, East Down’s Francis Tumelty was making an equally significant personal statement in the Larne Half Marathon, posting 1.20.18 to take overall 24th place and 3rd place in the Over 40 category, probably the most competitive of all the age groups. An inspired performance. The race was won in a new record time of 1.06.28 by last week’s Jimmy’s Ten runner up Vincent Chepyegon, while Jimmy’s Ten winner Gideon Kimosop was winning over the same distance in Inishowen in 1.06.07. Did we not witness top class runners in Downpatrick last week? You saw them here first!!
Declan Teague improved last year’s time of 1.26.49 to 1.25.23 proof perhaps that a good massage can work wonders? No doubt a path will be beaten to Catherine O’Connor’s door when the news gets out that hers were the magic fingers! Michael McKeown, getting back to top form again clocked 1.33.57, a notable 8 minutes better than his 2014 time.
RISING STARS IN THE LADIES
The ladies were represented by Alison Gillland who posted a superb 1.41.53 in her first attempt at the distance, Clare Carson who finished splendidly in 1.49.44 and Mags Flynn 1.58.40 breaking through the 2 hour barrier. Well done to all of them – there’s the makings of a good team for the Cross Country League next Winter.
SUNDAY IN KILBRONEY PARK
Perfect running conditions continued on Sunday afternoon where the juniors from East Down AC, Newcastle AC, Burren AC, Three Ways AC and Dromore AC gathered for the final round of the McGrady’s Financial Services Junior Cross Country Series. This round had been postponed due to bad weather in November but this proved a blessing in disguise as Kilbroney was at its magnificent best, calm and bathed in warm sunshine.
A good turnout from all the clubs led to an interesting and exciting card of races, ranging from P4 to Year11 age groups and honours were fairly evenly distributed across the participating clubs.
Outstanding performances came from Tony Carson who showed not only tremendous improvement but tremendous tenacity holding his second place in the Year 10 Boys race won by Owen Edwards and James Smyth who was only pipped on the line by Dromore’s Ethan Dunn after a tremendous tussle throughout, in what was the race of he day. But everybody performed well and there were significant numbers of new faces, including Noah Campbell P5 Boys and Jimmy McLeigh P6 who will be up for next season’s competitions.
NEXT LOCAL RACES
On Easter Sunday 5th April the Ballygalget 10K Road Race and 5K Walk is again the local event to look forward to and with free return transport from the ferry to the start there is no reason why many from this side of the Lough should not take advantage to sample the hospitality of our friends in the Peninsula – after they’ve ran of course! Race begins at 12 noon with registration beforehand in the Gaelic Club premises.
Joe Quinn
23 March 2015