Only 5 events to cover this week, beginning with the Killyleagh 5 on Friday night, a race which began an incredible10 years ago and it was fitting that the occasion should be marked with a special presentation to its founder, main organiser and promoter John Huddleston. John is a remarkable man who does sterling work in a number of roles but especially with the local Alzheimers Society Group and who, having just spent 5 days in hospital was there to oversee the event once again.

The race was won in by Newcastle’s in form David McNeilly in 27.37 from Paul Woodman Orangegrove and Richard Coey Ballydrain Harriers while the Ladies were led home by East Down’s Cheryl Denvir from Lisa Quinn and Dromore’s Susan Smyth. Several East Down runners recorded pbs, Paul Burns 29.54 in the form of his life in 5th place overall and over 2 minutes better than last year, just behind Martin Willcox 28.41 returning after an absence of a few months with other fine efforts coming from Roger Byrne 38.55,

improving with every outing, Michael Cultra 30.49, Cathy Burke 41.45, Paula Savage 42.20 Elaine Byrne, 43.07, Sharon Carew 46.02 with Denis McKay and Charlie Ataliotis both under 41 minutes.

FIRST TIMERS
Special mention of Caolan Atkinson turning in a splendid performance of 34.20 his first attempt at the distance and Alison Carroll in her first outing for the Club, if not yet in Club colours, clocking 38.13. This after younger daughter Edie won the Primary school race earlier in the evening, just ahead of Grace Surginor.
As last year the Secondary school race was dominated by the Bamisile brothers, wearing the Willowfield colours, with the elder Amando prevailing once again over Desire to clinch the schools trophy for Priory Integrated College.

One of the good and bad things about a weekend with so much choice (there was also a triathlon in Castlewellan on Saturday) is the temptation to do more than one race. Several availed of the opportunity.

DAMBUSTERS 10
Cheryl Denvir was one who turned out again in the 10 Mile Dambusters race in the Silent Valley on Saturday , taking 1st Over 35 and 3rd overall place in 72.13 . Declan Teague 66.39 also opted for the longer distance and Linda Cunningham showed evidence of her well being ahead of her assault on the 50k ultra marathon distance in next weekend’s Decathlon event, recording 87.48 for the 10 miles though Oonagh Cochrane was less happy with her performance and really prefers off the road races. However, expectations need to be balanced against training.

CHAMPION BARRIE
Later in the day Barrie Atkinson claimed the Masters Over 35 crown in the NI 5K Track championships at Mary Peters Track so congratulations to him.

AGE GROUP TRACK RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS
An early start on Sunday morning brought a 10 member Junior squad to Templemore Sports Complex in Derry for the Northern Ireland and Ulster Age groups Track Relays and everyone acquitted themselves very well on a cold, blustery though thankfully dry day, coming home with Gold medals in both the Under 15 Boys and Girls Distance Medley Relay, comprising 1 x 1200m 1 x 400m 1 x 800m and 1 x 1600m , and bronze in the 4 x 100 metres Sprint relays. Due in part to the glut of other events over the weekend and the late Summer date there was a poor turnout of clubs participating but it was nevertheless a novel programme well worth repeating next year, though perhaps on an earlier date. Probably the best performances of the day though came in the McDonald’s on the way home

LAGANSIDE 10K
Later on Sunday afternoon Brendan Teer recorded his best ever time for the distance when he finished 2nd in the Laganside 10K in 31.50, beaten only by Stephen Scullion. Michael Cultra 38.34 another who was doubling up having also ran on Friday night, to show he has now clearly recovered from his 24 hour race exertions – I think he doubled up there too, though from exhaustion.. PhillipVint 39.54 the first serious race for quite a while while Liam Keenan 38.48 continues to impress as he stays well away from the over 40s, Raymond Milligan 40.44 a new pb, Helen Vint 49.18, first time under the 50 with expert guidance from Simon McGrattan and Alison Carroll only having one day’s rest after her Club debut before recording a splendid 47.06.

NEXT WEEK
What’s on next week? Too tired writing about last week’s efforts to even think about it but I hear there’s a Half Marathon in the Waterside and a 101K Ultra run in the Titanic Quarter on Sunday. Me? I’m going for a lie down.

Joe Quinn

2 September 2013