ENERGIA 24 HOUR CHALLENGE
It hardly seems like a year since I was reporting on Michael Cultra’s exploits in the Energia 24 Hour Challenge 2013 but while he opted for middle of the night lap counting this time, Brian Donnelly assumed his mantle in the 2014 version. It’s hard to judge whether conditions are good or bad for running a 24 hour race, and certainly sitting on the sidelines offering words of encouragement may not be the best position to do it from. Certainly it felt cool and calm for spectators but there are such a variety of styles and tactics involved that appearances can be deceptive. Brian was looking in fine form and up with the leaders as one of the first to clock up 100 laps just before I left the Mary Peters Track on Friday night, though he appeared to be going through a bad patch shortly afterwards. Nevertheless he chalked up 78 miles when several of the big guns struggled to hit personal goals or set new records. So well done Brian, a sterling effort in by any standard.
SEA2SKY 10K
On the local front, also on Friday night, Newcastle was the venue for the increasingly popular Sea2Sky10K which was won in convincing style by Brendan Teer from Newcastle’s David O’ Flaherty. Almost 500 runners took part in the race, among them East Down’s Michael Cultra who was 9th overall and Ciaran Denvir who recorded 43.40, a notable effort on a multi terrain course.
KENNEDY KANE McARTHUR HALF MARATHON AND 10K
Saturday saw East Down represented at the Dervock venue for this event and Barrie Atkinson continued his recent vein of good form with 2nd place overall in the Half Marathon, recording 1.16.07 with Michael McKeown the only other East Down runner, continuing his ever present record in the half marathon series, and clocking 1.38.56. Francis Tumelty took on the 10K challenge and maintained the club’s excellent weekend performances with 5th overall place and 1st Over 35 Male.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The annual RGU 10K and 2 x 5K Relay is next local race, on Wednesday 30 July at 7.30pm, followed on Monday 4 August by the Kilmore Rec FC promoted Crossgar Cross Community 5 Miles, which this year starts and finishes in the Tobar Mhuire Monastery grounds. Registration in the Kilmore Rec Clubrooms with race beginning at 7.30pm. Then it’s on to Darragh Cross for the annual 6 miles Race and Fun Run on Thursday 14 August at 7.30pm, the Bright 10K race and 5K Fun Run on Sunday 17 August from Bright Community Centre, Ballynoe Rd. Downpatrick, the Strangford Festival 10K on Friday 22 August and Killyleagh 5 Miles on Friday 29th . A Pretty busy month on the local scene – and these are only the East Down promoted events!!
Joe Quinn
21 July 2014