THE RGU 10K ROAD RACE for the DOWN SPECIAL OLYMPICS CLUB
On Wednesday night.
The Race was promoted this year in order to raise money toward the expenses incurred by the Down Special Olympics squad in attending the Ireland Special Olympic Games in Dublin from June 14th to 17th this year. The prizes were presented by Mr Frank Donnelly, Chairman of the Special Olympics Club after which he thanked everyone involved for the support given.
Newcastle AC”s runners were not quite as dominant in Wednesday night’s RGU 10K and Relay as they were last year, though with 3 in the top 5 finishers, including top female in Sinead Murtagh, 5th overall, and Kieran Morgan in 3rd I suppose they could give me an argument on that. East Down’s James Savage was 2nd for the 2nd year running and it is good to see him back in competitive mode again.
James Savage 2nd Male overall in 10k
The race was won by Lagan Valley’s Brian Young 37.20, with Newcastle’s Frank Cunningham in 4th and Downpatrick’s Barry Kelly making up the top 6 and claiming 1st Over 45 Male trophy in the process.
East Down also claimed the top over 35 and over 55 trophies in the shape of Dermot Cahill and Liam Keenan who were 8th and 14th respectively.
Liam Keenan First Male 55
EDAC at RGU
EAST DOWN LADIES
Deirdre Weatherall improved her 2017 performance by taking the runners up spot in the Women’s event with Lisa Corry Saintfield Striders in 3rd .
Deidre Weatherall 2nd Female overall in 10k
Ballydrain Harriers took the next 2 Age category prizes with Catherine Miskelly first over 35 and Heather Stanex first Over 45 for the second year running.
RELAY
The Relay race was a total whitewash for East Down couples, the East Down pairing of James Savage and Callum Kent taking the overall title with the All Female ctegory going to Kirsti and Lucy Foster and the Mixed Team trophies going to Andrew Telford and Lauren Madine.
Callum Kent and James Savage First Relay Team overall
Kirsty and Lucy Foster First Female Team and 2nd Relay Team overall
Lauren Madine and Andrew Telford – First mixed Team and 3rd in Relay overall
CROSSGAR 10K on FRIDAY and THAT’S OFFICIAL.
On Friday night I went to watch the Crossgar 10K, which has been officially measured since last year and was pleasantly surprised to see that almost 200 runners turned out on an ideal evening for running. From the outset the rarely seen but hugely talented Darrel Cooper, unattached, took the race by the scruff of the neck and was well clear long before he exited Drakesbridge Rd at 9K to cruise home in 34.04 with Mark Smith 35.00 Mallusk Harriers in second and Jared Martin 35.45 Scrabo Striders in 3rd place.
Martin Willcox 36.57 was next man home in 4th place, and he consistently nails down excellent times over this distance. Pride of place however must go this week to Paul Lloyd who broke the 40 minute barrier for the first time, clocking in his eyes, a barely believable, 39.53. Well Done Paul, take pride in this achievement.
SLIEVE BERNAGH MOUNTAIN RACE on SATURDAY
Niall Gibney continued his love affair with the mountains when he took part in the Slieve Bernagh Race on Saturday. This was no stroll in the park as it takes in Meelmore, Bearnagh and Meelbeg and while I don’t know how far exactly that is it just tires me out writing it down. Niall completed the trip in 59.49 to claim 13th place in a field of 60 so he can certainly claim to be a true mountain runner now. Well Done Niall.
DUBLIN on SUNDAY
On Sunday Neil McCartan headed for Santry Stadium for the Irish National Championships and acquitted himself very well. After qualifying comfortably in 5th place in 3.59.63 in his 1500 metres heat he ran “a brave race” in the final and took 9th place in a much more eyecatching time of 3.52.62. Winner was top Irish runner John Travers in 3.47.45.
Joe Quinn
30 July 2018