After missing out on last year’s event, Brendan Teer returned to the Old Course Road venue on Wednesday last to pick up where he left off in 2013 and ran out winner again in a time of 32.24 with Newcastle duo Martin Melville and Brendan Quail filling the minor places. James Savage, Michael Cultra and Dee Murray were next best of the 35 strong East Down contingent which took part, with James and Dee picking up the Over 35 and Over 45 prizes respectively, while Norman Mawhinney from the ever supportive Ballydrain Harriers retained his Over 55 crown.

Liam Smyth continued his rehabilitation back into the running fraternity with a fine 42.36 and will soon challenge the 40 minute barrier again.

LADIES RESULTS

The Ladies race saw last year’s winner the in-form Catherine O’Connor, leading an East Down AC squad home in 38.10 ahead of Newcastle’s Sinead Murtagh and Diane Watson from City of Lisburn. Niamh O’ Connell from Murlough took the Over 35 prize with Letitia Fitzsimmons claiming the Over 45 age group title. Dromore AC’s Mary Mackin completing race 41 of her quest for 60 in a Year to raise money for the Craigavon Hospital Cancer Ward was rewarded with the Over 50 prize

RELAY

The relay was won by the Ballydrain pairing of Scott McKeag and Ryan Andrews with East Down’s Hannah Gilliland and Edie Carroll taking the Female pairing prize. 

HALF MARATHON BOYS AND GIRL

Gareth Fegan made the long journey to Cookstown on Sunday and recorded 1.50.17 over a challenging course while a little further south east Phillip Vint was edging closer to full fitness again with a 1.27.53 time in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Dublin City and Irish National Half Marathon Championships in Phoenix Park, just ahead of Newcastle’s Joe McCann. It was great to see the too long absent Stephen McCartan posting a time of 1.54 06 in the same race. Welcome back Stephen. And keeping up the Ladies end and continuing her recent good form Helen Vint thoroughly enjoyed the outing with a solid 1.57 timing.

DARRAGH CROSS

The Darragh Cross 10K and 5K Fun Run on Thursday 13 August is the next East Down promotion.   An interesting new route, making the distance up to the full 10K, has been identified and should prove a much faster circuit. The Race will start at 7.30pm.

BRIGHTEN YOUR SUNDAY

Three days later on Sunday 16 August the Bright 10K and 5K Fun Run should attract a sizeable turnout with a new 11.30am start time from Bright Community Hall, on the Ballynoe Road just outside Downpatrick.

Joe Quinn

3 August 2015