RED ARROWS RETURN TO NEWCASTLE

Did you see the red Arrows in Newcastle last Saturday morning? Well actually in Tollymore Forest Park to be absolutely precise? And to be consistently absolutely precise they weren’t really RED arrows, more bright ORANGE, only in case the Parades Commission read this and think someone is trying to steal a march (pardon the pun) on them I thought Red would be a less controversial description. Anyway unless you had been taking part in Saturday’s Charity run organised to assist raise money for pupils from St Patrick’s High School travelling to India in the Summer with the Saphara project, you wouldn’t have seen them either. This was the system devised by the organisers to direct runners around the course. Not that every one of them did, mind you, judging by the tales afterwards from a few lost souls but those are stories for another day.

WHAT A WAY TO GO!

And what a lovely route it was, twisting and turning alongside and across the river, in a positively balmy atmosphere oblivious to the frosty conditions outside the cosy serenity of the forest floor. The arrows were invaluable to those like me who led the race for most of the way – no need to mention that I was let go 20 minutes ahead of everyone else as I had selected the 60 minute target as my anticipated finishing time. I inadvertently mentally calculated my predicted finishing time on the basis of 6 times my average mile pace instead of 5 times so really should have opted for 50 minutes. In the event I managed to complete in just under 53 minutes, thanks it must be said, in no small measure to the aforementioned arrows and the efforts of a small band of marshals.

A huge turnout from Newcastle AC, East Down AC and Murlough AC, together with plenty of unattached runners ensured a very successful and enjoyable morning with a great spread of refreshments afterwards to satisfy all palates. Well Done to all concerned with the organisational duties.

INCORRUPTIBLE

On the subject of those marshals by the way, they resisted all my pleas and financial bribes to send the chasing runners the wrong way even to turning down the offer of research fees or payments towards their rent. On this basis there is no possibility of any of them becoming an MLA.

NEXT WEEKEND

Cross Country league action resumes in far off Derry on Saturday with a 12 noon start for the senior race so an early departure is on the cards. I hope the guy with the red arrows is up early as I don’t know the way there either!

Joe Quinn

15 December 2014.