GREYABBEY 5 AND 10K
For the second year in a row a record turnout in both events saw over 300 runners take to the pleasant country roads in and around the picturesque village of Greyabbey on Friday night. The small contingent from East Down certainly made their presence felt with Barrie Atkinson taking 2nd place in the 10K after an almighty battle with Orangegrove’s John Craig, only succumbing to the Belfast man’s finishing burst in the last 200 metres. Their finishing times of 34.02 and 34.10 respectively left them well clear of 3rd placed James Trainor, Dub Runners in 35.46. Overall 9th place and first in the Over 35 category was Barrie’s clubmate Michael Cultra 37.29, which was a minute and 25 seconds better than last year, proof if it was needed that running Hill and Dale sharpens you up for the roads!
Tom Dowey kept the success story going with a good third in the Over 60s category while Samantha Anderson flew the flag peacefully for the Ladies section.
Barrie’s son Caolan was the Club’s sole representative in the 5K and maintained the Club’s good record in this event with an overall 3rd and 1st Junior place, so the Atkinson family had a night to celebrate.
INTERNATIONAL AT MARY PETERS TRACK
On Wednesday night the club was well represented in the International Track and Field event at Mary Peters track. Brendan Teer, only just recovered from injury picked up the previous Friday in Ards, took part in the highly competitive 5,000 metres and despite blustery conditions posting 15.35 a brave effort all things considered.
Given the unhelpful wind James O’hare did well to equal his previous best when he clocked 3.46 for the hotly contested 1500 metres race.
MIGHTY MATTHEW
Matthew McGrattan too represented East Down very well when setting a new PB of 2.26 for the 800 metres in the Under 15 Boys race. This was a massive 4 seconds off his previous best performance and when he begins to concentrate on this distance he will be a force to be reckoned with.
GIVE MY HEAD PACE?
Neil McCartan was also involved, operating as pacemaker for the Senior Men’s 800 metres. Charged with setting a 54 second first lap he duly hit the bell in 54.08, brilliant timing, but it raises the question of why engage pacemakers at all if the field doesn’t follow them? Not only in this race but in several others the pacers did their jobs to the second only to be ignored by the big guns.
NEXT WEEK
Anyone at a loose end next Friday night (11th night) is invited to Killough for the 2nd running of the Shore 10K. Starting at 7.30pm in the centre of the village the organisers boast that you won’t find a more scenic or flat 10K anywhere in Co Down and with post race refreshments in the Community Hall afterwards could anyone ask for more? Online entry is available at www.athleticsni.org until midnight on Wednesday 9th July but entries will be taken on the night from 5.30pm onwards.
AND THEN?
It’s the Portaferry 10 Mile Race on 22 July followed by the RGU 10K on Wednesday 30 July
Joe Quinn
7 July 2014