It doesn’t seem like a year since the 2014 edition of the Portaferry Gala 10 Mile Race and Relay was severely affected by the fog which engulfed the peninsula and prevented many runners from getting to the venue. Not so this year when over 330 runners descended on the Co. Down village last Tuesday night and in ideal conditions proceeded to write a new chapter in the history of this great race.
The Men’s race was a fascinating contest between former winner Brendan Teer – and the clock! From the off the East Down man surged to the front and in addition to outstripping the 2 wheelchair athletes who had started a minute ahead, he set himself a new pb 53.28, almost 2 and a half minute quicker than last year’s winning time.. First lady home was Colette McCourt 67.33 with Newcastle’s Sinead Murtagh 68.16 close behind.
PBs ALL THE WAY but GEORGE TAKES THE BISCUIT
Apart from Brendan’s heroics at the front it was a case of pbs all round as Best was James Savage, 7th overall and 2nd Over 35 in 62.25 in his first attempt at the distance, with Dee Murray 63.05 and Declan Teague 63.14 also nailing down pbs as did Andrew Telford 65.43, Ciaran Denvir 67.18, Mark O’Connor 67.26, Gerard Mc Auley 68.03 Raymond Milligan 69.17, Gareth Kelly 75.09, Gavin Hynds 76.08, John Smith 78.41, Richard Gill 81.06 and all topped of by a superb run from George Kerr who’s 81.44 was just 2 seconds short of 11 minutes faster than last year! Gary Small 85.40 was equally pleased with his showing as was John Findlay 86.26.
WHAT ABOUT THE LADIES?
Last year the East Down ladies were conspicuous by their absence, quite the reverse this, with a sextet of Cheryl Denvir 76.58, Kerry Stanley 80.59, Wendy Findlay 87.49, Lisa Milligan 88.50, Janine Murray 89.29 and Mags Flynn 90.40 equalling the men in the pb stakes.
I too set a pb (that’s a pigs breakfast, for those of you who might ask, the equivalent of a dogs dinner in canine terms) for my car parking attendant role. For a while I thought I had found my true vocation, if not in life then certainly in the running world, as I coaxed and cajoled drivers into spaces more suited to bikes than cars, until finally achieving total gridlock and leaving quickly for health and safety interests – my own mainly! However most vehicles had left the area before midnight.
BALLYKINLAR 10K (the BK10K)
A cold, wet and windy Sunday morning greeted runners to Ballykinler for the 3rd running of the BK10K, which also incuded a 5K “Fun Run”. The weather was the major factor in a disappointing turnout for this charity supporting event that deserves much wider support from local athletics clubs, but nevertheless there was class in both the male and female races with Dromore AC providing the winners of both. The winner was Micheal Stewart in 38.34, not you might say an earth shattering time, but given the conditions and the terrain it was a noteworthy effort, underlined by second placed James Savage’s time of 39.02, from a man whose normal clocking for the distance is around 35 minutes.
JAMES CATCHES THE EYE
Most impressive run of the day came from East Down’s James Smyth, who certainly picked a tough one for his debut at the distance, and whose 40.04 was surely a sign of great things to come as he eases out of the Junior ranks.
First Lady was Dromore’s high quality Gillian Burns 41.25 with City of Lisburn’s Diane Watson in second place.
The nominated charity to benefit this year is the Niamh McCluskey Brighter Future Fund.
WHAT’S NEXT
Tonight Wednesday 29th is the popular RGU 10K and two person relay race beginning at 7.30pm and then we’re into August. And what a month of local activity that will see on the running front.
On Monday 3 August Kilmore Rec FC and Crossgar Community Association present their 5 Mile race starting and finishing in the Monastery grounds.
The Darragh Cross 10K and Fun Run are on Thursday 13 August at 7.30pm. The main race will be run over a new route and is a full 10K.
On Sunday 16th the second Bright Community 10K and 5k Fun Run, organised by Bright GFC and Rossglass County FC takes place from Bright Community Hall on Ballynoe Rd Dowmpatrick.
Friday 28th it’s the Killyleagh 5 Mile Race at 7.30pm with junior races at 6.30 and a new Under 16 Club Team race for teams of four.
Entries for all four races will be on the day.
Saturday 29th is the date for the Strangford Festival 10K over a new route this year with a 5K Fun Run, both starting at 11.00am. Online entry at www.athleticsni.org and on the day.
All these events are organised in association with East Down AC and permitted by Athletics NI.
Oh and the Leitrim 5 Miles and Fun Run on Saturday 8 August is always worth a visit. A 12.00noon start from Fontenoy Park means that participants are back by lunchtime for second to none refreshments afterwards. Not one to miss.
Joe Quinn
27 July 2015