MALCOLM CUP
The Malcolm Cup fixture in Ballyclare on Saturday afternoon saw East Down Ladies take centre stage yet again, as, with only one man standing, thus rendering team points out of the question, it was an opportunity for Paul Burns to test his recent good form against his peers in the Master’s race. And he was more than happy to claim 9th place overall and 2nd Over 40, in a race won in fine style by the experienced Annadale Strider Paul Carroll (16.33.)
But back to the Ladies. After last weekend’s heroics in the Seeley 10KCatherine O’Connor was in no mood to rest on her laurels and comfortably took 4th place with Aoife Cochrane revelling in the longer distances open to senior runners, placing 23rd. . Next home, though mysteriously still missing from the results, was Ellen Erskine and not far behind came Ella Carroll, 95th , daughter of the aforementioned Paul, followed closely by her Mum Alison 104th. To complete the family day out younger daughter Edie ran in the Under 15 Girls race earlier placing 5th.
An entire family out running competitively on the same day in the same race is a pretty unique occurrence and must be something the Guinness Book of Records would be interested in, and although they just missed out on that record this time, it would not be difficult to make it happen.
The other team members were Janine Murray 107th, who continues to improve with every outing, debutante Jean Erskine 137th and the ever reliable Carmel Tumelty 158th overall.
GRIDDLE 10K AND FUN RUN
In contrast to Ballyclare, Sunday was, as usual, a perfect day for the 8th running of the Griddle 10K and Fun Run although I reckon it was much colder than previous years and certainly it had scared off any prospective entries from the brass monkey community. For the second year in a row record numbers turned out albeit the increase was due to the additional entries in the 5K (60) with lower than last year 120 in the 10K. Evidence if it was needed that perhaps the race’s boast of being the toughest in Co. Down is reaching some of the less receptive members of the racing fraternity.
BENNY’S RETURN
The race itself was notable in that it marked the welcome return to competitive running of Brendan Teer, a former multiple winner of the race, and the cheering which ensued at the subsequent prize winning ceremony gave notice of just how highly regarded he is in this area and beyond. Brendan doesn’t do easy and few would have chosen the Griddle for a comeback run. Nevertheless he positively relished the challenge and used as an incentive the frustration built up over the past year when life in general meant he could not run to his previous standard to simply blow the opposition away. His time of 34.45 while well outside his pb for the distance was nevertheless a sterling effort and should give his confidence a tremendous boost for the New Year challenges that await. Well Done Brendan and Welcome back.
BIG DAY FOR EDAC
Overall East Down had a great day out fielding 26 runners across all the races. James Smyth and Laura Gardiner claimed first place in the Relay, Matthew McGrattan and Lauren Madine won the Male and Female categories respectively in the 5K, a race in which 6 of the top 7 finishers were from EDAC, while Newcastle’s Patricia McKibbin separated Ladies 10K winner Catherine O’Connor and third placed Joanne Foster. It was good too to see Kim Surginor back on form on her home patch and Gareth Fegan making a welcome appearance. Roisin Gaffney competed as part of her birthday celebrations, and I experienced the buzz of surviving the Griddle!
PERISH THE THOUGHT
It’s funny how when you’re driving around a course you don’t tend to notice the hills which appear to grow in front of you when you’re on foot. I was offered help from the minibus which pulled alongside just before the 8K point and Kevin said “Throw your top in and I’ll take it to the finish”. Never mind my top, I thought, you can take the middle and bottom as well, but as with my running nowadays, before my mental processes had translated my thoughts into action he was gone.
THANK YOU
Sincere thanks to the PSNI, First Aid providers, the Registration and Results crew, all who marshalled and helped in any way and to all the event sponsors. And a special word for the young people from SERC who surpassed last year’s class by virtue of learning from their predecessor’s experiences. I must say that the marshalling was probably the best I have experienced anywhere and the post race food served up by fellow students from the Catering class was first class.
NEXT WEEKEND
Crossgar Harriers Club are organising a Santa Run next Sunday following the success of last year’s event and which gets under way at 1.00pm. I would urge you all to go and support this event.
Joe Quinn
5 December 2016
PS – Michael McKeown ran the Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon in a time of 3.46.37 on Sunday. Well Done Michael. I hope you find your way home as I don’t know where you are or where you’ve been!