Owen Edwards went to Antrim Forum two weeks ago to tackle his favourite1500 metres in the NI and Ulster Under 16 Boys Championships and literally walked away with a Gold medal. Working on the old adage that you have to walk before you can run Owen reckoned he could use the 3000 metres Walk as a warm up for his main event – and duly won! He duly qualified for the All Ireland Championships in Tullamore next weekend and it will be interesting to see how he performs there as race walking is much more popular in the South and competition likely to be much stiffer.
Other East Down performances in the 1500 under 14 and 16 age categories with Edie 5th in her final, Hannah Gilliland 12th Aoife Cochrane 10th and Elisha Surginor 5th in the Under 17 class.
800 METRES
East Down athletes competed at Mary Peters Track the previous weekend too with Edie Caroll taking 12th place in the Under 14 Girls 800 metres, sister Ella 9th in the Under 16 race James Smyth a good 5th in the Under 17s and Owen Edwards 10th in his race.
LISBURN HALF MARATHON AND 10K
Difficult as ever to identify East Down competitors in the Lisburn Half and 10K last Wednesday but Stephen Cassidy again improved his 10k best to 46.03, Andrew Telford clocked 39.16 and Catherine O’Connor returned to the roads with a splendid 38.09. Kristoffer Fegan showed he is on the way back with 42.46.
In the Half Marathon Gerard McAuley was first East Down man home, clocking a more than respectable 1.30, Mark O’Connor 1.32, Michael McKeown 1.42.40 but pride of place this week goes to Lisa Burke who broke the 1.50 barrier on a humid night on a difficult course, her 1.49.39 returning the smile to her face after a tough final mile.
HILL and DALE 10
The end is in sight – incredible as it seems the 2015 H & D 11 Race Series is coming to an end this week. How time flies and I must say I have thoroughly enjoyed every race I have taken part in – to call it my saviour, or redemption or the return to sanity might strike some as odd, given that it involves running up and down mountains, through bogs and along rock strewn paths long since barred from use by mountain goats on health and safety grounds – but that’s what it was nevertheless. Just to be part of the participating fraternity again is a feeling which money could not buy. Anyway the incentive to complete 6 of the 11 is persuasive though I have to finish Friday’s final round to qualify. Last week it was the Meels, with 13 East Downers taking part and led home by Michael Cultra closely followed by Dee Murray and James savage. What a series they have had and the revelation of the season, Ciaran Denvir again claiming a top 50 place. Peter McGuckin took the Mae 60 prize followed by Raymond Milligan, another who has had a consistently good season, with Mickey Cunningham, Paddy McDonald and John Findlay all finishing within the same minute. Brian Hamilton, seemingly a little below par, was next with the ever present Wendy Findlay just behind. Cheryl Denvir and Janine Murray completed the East Down contingent. Janine certainly deserves credit as she only took up H&D this season and despite initial misgivings has stuck to her task, in this very different sphere of running, regarding each finish as an achievement and even beginning to enjoy it. She has been inspirational to me and to many over the past 3 months and will improve in all aspects of running as a result of the strength built up in the mountains. Watch her go next year?
CLUB AWARDS NIGHT
On Saturday night, taking advantage of the “Summery” weather the Club held its Awards Night round a BBQ taking advantage of the facilities afforded in its new premises by the kind permission of New Horizons. A great night was had by all who attended with the awards going to the following.
Male Athlete of the Year Brendan Teer;
Female Athlete of the Year Catherine O’Connor;
Male Masters Athlete of the Year Barrie Atkinson;
Female Masters Athlete of the Year Oonagh Breteche;
Most Improved Athlete (Road) Mick McCreesh;
Most Improved Athlete (Track) Neil McCartan;
Most Improved Athlete Female, Cathy Burke;
Club Person of the Year 2015 (Male) Tom McClean;
Club Person of the Year 2015 (Female) Sinead Hanna;
Outstanding Contribution to East Down AC 2015 Michael Kelly.
COMING THIS WEEK!!
Tonight (Wed) sees the 9th running if the popular and scenic Loughinisland 5.05 mile race with 3 Mile Fun Run beginning at 7.30pm. Entries from 6.00pm in the GAC Clubrooms.
RUN FOR PAUL on SUNDAY 28 JUNE at DELAMONT
Our appeal is repeated for as many runners as possible to come to Delamont Country Park next Sunday morning to take part in the Run for Paul Charity Runs, 5K and 10K options are on offer.
The event is being organised and promoted jointly by East Down AC, Ballydrain Harriers and NI Civil Service AC to raise funds for Paul Brannigan, a popular and well known stalwart of the Mourne Way series, who urgently needs to undergo expensive laser treatment in London for a form of lung cancer, not treatable by conventional means, and not currently available on the NHS.
VIRTUAL RUN
If you are unable to come along to the event on the day but would still like to support Paul you can take part in the virtual run. To do this just forward your name and the distance (and where you will be running to mags.mathieson@yahoo.co.uk and arrange to forward a minimum donation of £5 When you have completed your run, make a note of the time you finished it and email it or text it to Mags for inclusion in the virtual run results. By doing this, everyone who has supported the event will be recorded as having participated. If you need any further information you can contact Mags on 07402 785109.
The races will begin at 10.00am on Sunday with refreshments afterwards. Water supplied by Wrap ‘N’ Roll, Downpatrick. Entries taken on the day from 8.30am or for pre-registration contact mags.mathieson@yahoo.co.uk . Information also available from East Down AC website.
The Miniature Railway will be in operation so why not bring the kids and make a day of it. You won’t be disappointed.
Joe Quinn
22 June 2015