CHRISTMAS CRACKERS
GREENCASTLE 5 MILES
I finally made it to Greencastle, Co. Tyrone on Monday 26 December 2016, just about 30 years after I began running, for the annual 5 Miles race, thanks to a chance conversation I had with David Wright (Lagan Valley) after the Griddle 10 K a few weeks ago. He said he was going and offered me a lift which I gratefully accepted. I don’t know if I will go back, I certainly could not find my way there again, though it’s more BOB (back of beyond) than AHON (guess it yourself, the last word is “nowhere”) but it’s certainly a top class event both in terms of the race itself and the organisational skills which have to be used to pull the whole thing together. The marshalling and post race refreshments supplied are both excellent and represent a tremendous community effort.
Anyway though the sun was bright in the sky the air was cold and the wind strong as the near 1000 runners field set off, led from start to finish by Rio Olympian Paul Pollock. Paul’s time of 24. 52 was not a new record though he was harder pressed to hold off David 34.15 than me 50.47. In the course of the race I came across a young lady who had travelled all the way from Sydney to take part. Well actually she came home for Christmas to Pomeroy and just came along to Greencastle because her brother said that’s what he was doing. It was, she said, her first ever organised race and like me she thoroughly enjoyed it. I have now crossed this one off my bucket list.
TURKEY TROT
On the same day Neil Andrews took 6th place for the second year I a row in the Turkey Trot mountain race with Dee Murray and Michael Cultra in 15th and 28th places respectively while Megan Wilson’s 23rd place overall gave her the 2nd Lady position also for the second year in a row.
BURREN TOWNLANDS
A little further up the road, meanwhile, Barrie Atkinson was running into 6th place in the Burren Townlands 12 mile race, just behind Newcastle AC’s 3rd placed Francis Tumelty, whose wife Carmel was happy to complete the 10K distance over what is described as a challenging course.
I have entered this one on my bucket list to replace the Greencastle Five, in the hope that it neither develops a hole or is kicked in the meantime.
HOWTH’S THAT?
And substantially further south Phillip Vint and Stephen McCartan took on the 4 lap challenge that is the Howth Marathon finishing in the very respectable time of 3.45 while Helen contented herself with the Half, finishing in 2.05. Another one for the bucket list?
CASTLEWELLAN CRACKER
Next day a total of 26 pairings from East Down, some in combination with runners from other clubs, took on the increasingly popular challenge. And learning from last years’ experience, when we missed the start, my partner Iryna Kennedy and I left the Registration area fully 5 minutes before the race was due to begin, only to find that the start was over 7 minutes away!! I found out that the start was actually at the small painted roundabout on Main Street, but as this was on the Thursday after the race when I finally got round to reading last week’s Mourne Observer, it was a bit late to do any good on race day. So we got to within sight of where the over 1000 runners had assembled when they all moved off – and here’s the strange thing. I started my watch at that particular time, yet the official time for us at the finish line differed by 6 minutes from mine. It makes no difference of course, other than psychologically, as the discrepancy was 6 minutes longer!!
EAST DOWN PAIRINGS
The best placed East Down runner was Paddy Erskine in partnership with Newcastle’s Rory McMullan, the duo finishing in 38th place with the similarly mixed 2 club combo of City of Lisburn’s Ann Terek and Ciaran Denvir in 59th, while the first all East Down pairing of Niamh Kellett and Gavin Hynds filled 79th place. Gavin Oakes and Padraig Rogan combined well together off their wheels to take 104th place.
Former East Down top junior Aaron McGrady used his Christmas trip home to underline his quality in this type of event, placing 7th overall in 54.53 and the Club could do worse than sound out his availability for the Championship races coming up later this month.
Several husband and wife (H & W) pairings took the opportunity to spend some quality time together, including Joanne and Davy Foster, John and Wendy Findlay, John and Lisa Manley, Kim and Colum Surginor and Catherine and Paul Gilchrist. Of course if you were out with someone else’s wife as I was, you may wish to have an explanation ready – or consult a lawyer!
Father and son Jim and Johnny Erskine were an impressive 121st with the less common pairing of father and daughter Sean and Beth Sealey in 538th place. I really think there should be more prizes for combinations such as father and son, mother and daughter, brother and sister, sister and sister etc. rather than so many in the combined age categories – even best of friends and worst of enemies, which can sometimes be the title for the same duo, though hopefully not in the H & W category, pre and post race!
Gareth Fegan again travelled to Loughmacrory (which I believe is also close to the AHON) on New Year’s Eve and ran what looks like a dutiful husband’s race accompanying a certain Kelly Fegan across the finish line in 49.54, while Tom McClean also took the fresh air round the Lough in a time of 39.35.
BACK TO BACK MARATHONS
Linda Cunningham certainly knows the way to her man’s heart when she treated husband Mickey to a fully paid entry to the Back to Back marathons organised by East Antrim Harriers on 30th and 31st December – and he showed his appreciation by doing both – a little faster than her. Also taking part were Oonagh Brétéché and Michael Cultra – still can’t find the results for these ones but will update next week.
AND FINALLY
On to New Year’s Day and to the Kirkistown Circuit for the first of 2017’s Duathlons. Paul Carroll showed he has wintered well, claiming overall victory in a splendid time of 46.53 with East Down’s Gavin Oakes 5th overall in 53.27. Ella Carroll and her cousin Jack Ferguson finished 2nd in the Relay competition overall 11th in 58.10, one place ahead of Mark McDowell 59.13 with Edie Carroll 14th in 59.36 and first Junior Female. Completing the Carroll day out was Mum Alison who completed the 14 miles in 68.11, just ahead of Kilclief Ben Dearg organiser Gareth Reilly 68.55.
Best wishes to everyone for a PEACEFUL, HEALTHY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR IN 2017.
Joe Quinn
2 January 2017