BALLYCLARE MAY FAIR 10K RACE AND FUN RUN
One of my favourite races is the Ballyclare May Fair 10K and 5K Fun Run which is held every year on the Saturday before the Spring Bank Holiday Monday. (Perhaps that should be two of my favourite races as there are 2 separate routes and I’ve done both, though not in the same year) However I’m not quite sure what it is that sets this particular event above other races, and there are plenty to choose from, though the friendliness of the promoting Club, Co. Antrim Harriers and the near ideal starting time of 10.00am clearly contribute to my feelings towards it, and the not to be missed quality of the post race refreshments possibly play a part in influencing my opinion. Anyway on Saturday we (me and one of my daughters, Karen) set off for Ballyclare Rugby Club, race HQ and race starting point, leaving at 8.20am and arriving without incident around 9.45 to a warm welcome from some good friends I hadn’t seen for a while. It was 9.50 by the time we parked up and after making an essential pit stop and picking up our numbers the runners were being called to the start line. That’s the great thing about travelling with someone else and early start times. Both ensure that there is the minimum of hanging about time before the race begins thus preventing the risk of injury during the “warm up”
FEELING NEEDLED
The background to Saturday’s race was that I had an injection into my left knee on Tuesday morning to alleviate, cure or just generally get rid of the pain I’ve been living with for several months now and which has rendered me incapable of walking, never mind running 5K. In order to make the injection a success it was strictly doctor’s orders “do nothing for 48 hours and then break yourself in gently”. So with this in mind I walked to the start line alongside Karen, ran 3 steps and dropped out. Karen, like many mothers in her position, struggles to fit in much training so she had every reason to be satisfied with her time of 33.22, having overtaken 60 plus runners after I had persuaded her to run her own race. Luckily I had recovered from this disappointment sufficiently to do the superb post race spread of food justice.
JUNIORS SHINE
The Newry Mourne and Down Primary Schools XC Championships were held in Kilbroney Forest Park on Tuesday. It was a bit bizarre to see a Cross Country event take place in the sun but there was a huge turn out of over 1700 children and it was run with precision. There were 2 races for each age group p4-p7. Kari Foster was 3rd in her P5 race. Jodi Foster was 1st in P6 and Ollie Robinson and brother Alex were 6th in their respective races. The top 6 in each race got a medal. A great day out for all.
Oliver and Alex Robinson at Kilbroney Forest Park – Newry, Mourne and Down XC Championships
IRISH MILERS at MPT
At Mary Peter’s Track on Saturday there was a 1k Boys’ and Girls’ Race for children aged 10-13 as a warm up to the prestigious Belfast Irish Milers’ Meet. Kirsti Foster judged her race to perfection tucking in with the lead group then with 600 to go she eased ahead and then with a decisive kick left the other athletes in her wake to secure victory. Lucy and Jodi meanwhile were in the mix behind her and with sheer determination managed to cross the line in 5th and 12th places respectively. Mackenzie Murray then lined up in the Boys’ Event and despite saying that track racing is not his thing he ran strongly and never looked out of place. His reward was a bronze medal and hopefully a bit of a mental boost besides. Well Done Mackenzie, you can compete with the best on any surface.
Jodi, Lucy and Kirsti Foster at Mary Peter’s Track after the 1000m Girls’ Race
Laura Gardiner on a trip home from University in Worcester and Edie Carroll were in the 800m B Race. As with all senior events at this meet pacers are provided and the idea is to use them to chase a time rather than to worry about race positions. Laura finished in 2.26 which was far from a PB but a marker of form for the rest of the season. Edie was in a similar position with 2.33 but it was an enjoyable occasion and a great experience on her birthday without any pressure. Laura also ran in the 400m
EDINBURGH MARATHON
Taking advantage of the Bank Holiday Weekend two of our members travelled further afield. Carmel Tumelty and Catherine Gilchrist took part in Edinburgh Marathon as a culmination to some intensive training through the last months. Catherine beat her previous PB by a minute in 4.11.51 and Carmel finished in a creditable 4.30 with steady pacing throughout . Apparently the course was relatively flat and the conditions enjoyable. Some of you may have seen my (Joe) comments on fb recently on the Edinburgh Marathon which were far from flattering but our two gallant ladies prove that there are always two sides to every story and Catherine’s PB will make her view very different to mine. Well done Ladies!
Carmel Tumelty and Catherine Gilchrist at Edinburgh Marathon
RUNHER HALF DEBUT FOR OLIVIA
Friday night saw the renewal of the Runher 5 and 10K coastal runs which this year introduced a half marathon distance taking the beautiful coastline from Holywood to Crawfordsburn Country Park. Here it was that Olivia Mooney, a very welcome newly rejoined member of the club made her debut at the distance and posted a very respectable 1.49.59 which placed her 25th overall. She will certainly strengthen the Ladies squad for next Winter’s X/C campaign. Clare Carson contented herself with the 10K on the most beautiful of evenings for running and placed 38th in 51.03.
EAST DOWN at MOUGHANMORE
Gavin Hynds was first of the East Down runners to finish the Moughanmore round of the Hill and Dale Series on Thursday night equalling last year’s 43rd place in spite of carrying another year’ and the best part of his birthday cake around inside him. Niall Gibney was next, maintaining his good form in the mountains with Deirdre Weatherall first of the East Down ladies., followed closely by Paddy McDonald, Lisa Milligan 2nd in the FV45 category, John Manley and Janine Murray.
NEWRY HALF on SUNDAY
James Magennis found a certain amount of redemption in completing the 13.1 miles of the Newry Half Marathon on Sunday, following his experience in the Belfast Marathon 3 weeks ago and he has concluded he is more suited to Half’ns, a view confirmed by his local hostelry! Dee Murray also completed the distance in an excellent 1.25 which was good enough to place him in 22nd position.
SPARTAN SPRINT RACE at PUNCHESTOWN RACECOURSE
In keeping with his reputation for finding unusual events for his family to enjoy with him Gareth Amos came up trumps again on Sunday when he and his 4 daughters took part in the Spartan Race Sprint held at Punchestown Racecourse near Naas . Described as Ireland’s toughest obstacle race, the 5K course consists of 20 obstacles including walls to climb over and mud hazards to be crawled through, which the family teams have to negotiate.
Gareth Amos and his 4 daughters after the Spartan Event held in Naas at the weekend.
Joe Quinn & Alison Carroll
28 May 2018