MILL HILL MILE
Last Wednesday the annual Mill Hill Mile race, promoted by Newcastle AC took place in Castlewellan. Just under 100 took part this time in what is undoubtedly one of the stiffest challenges in the racing calendar.
Last year Brendan Teer reached the top first in 5.26 but while 13 seconds slower this time he still crossed the line 7 seconds clear of Newry Acs Junior star Oisin O’Callaghan with David O’ Flaherty from the host club just one second behind in third. Fourth overall and first lady home was Newcasle’s Commonwealth Games steeplechase star Kerry O’Flaherty in a time of 6 minutes to show she can do it without the jumps too. Paul Burns 6.27 was next East Down man to finish taking the Over 40 title with clubmate Mark O’Connor 6.45 the Over 45 crown.
MARKED IMPROVEMENTS
As they did 12 months ago many of East Down’s juniors dramatically improved on last year’s times. Owen Edwards 6.48 (720) strode home to claim the first Under 14 Boys prize.Laura Gardiner 7.08 (7.16) was first of the EDAC girls to finish, taking the Under 16 award while Aoife Cochrane 7.54 (8.24) was first under 14 Girl with Laura Green 8.08 (8.10) second in that category. Michael O’ Connor 8.24 (9.21) took almost a minute of his previous time. It was good to see Chris O’Connor 7.22 back in competitive mode. 2013 times in brackets.
I clocked 11.49 against last year’s 10.58 so I reckon that with another year’s non training I should hit the 12 minute mark I’ve been after for some time now.
FIRST TIMERS
Anna Gardiner showed there is more than one star in that family with an amazing 8.18 time to take the Under 8 prize, finishing ahead of her dad Paddy 8.23, while Imogen Anderson battled all the way to the top in 13.58. Edie 8.15 and Ella Carroll 9.04 finished head of mum Alison 9.28 who had the last laugh by claiming the Over 50 Ladies title.
PURE RUNNING LAGANSIDE 10K
Sunday was Laganside 10K day, this year including the NI and Ulster 10K Road Racing Championships, where Caolan Atkinson turned out to be the star of the show turning in a remarkable time 0f 36.46 to become Junior Champion just a year after his debut over the distance in a time of 40.50! Take a bow Caolan.
Equally eyecatching was Francis Tumelty’s 36.41 time, giving him a top 50 place and just 2 places behind James Savage 39.30 who earned the accolade of first East Down man home – exciting prospects for the fast approaching cross country season. As ever Liam Keenan did not disappoint, his time of 38.28 and a negative split his best performance for a while and an indication of a return to full fitness. He continues to be one of East Down’s top runners. Catherine O’ Connor 39.08 (41.50)was 7th finisher among the ladies and her time almost 3 minutes inside last year’s effort. Big brother Mark also took advantage of the near perfect conditions and the flat course to finally break through the 40 minute, recording a superb 39.30, while Mick McCreesh 41.32 continues to threaten the 40 minute target every time he races. Kieran McMahon too is steadily chipping away at his times, clocking 44.06, while Cathy Burke 51.11 is building up very nicely to her marathon debut in Dublin. 2013 times in brackets.
TITANIC QUARTER ULTRA 50K
Sunday was also the day for Simon Mc Grattan and Linda Cunningham to tackle the Titanic Quarter 50K ultra marathon, this being the shorter of 2 distances, the other being 102K, along the shores of Belfast Lough. Happy to report that both finished in 6 hours 4 minutes and 13 seconds, the perfect build up for the 40 mile Causeway Coast Ultra on the last Saturday of the month.
Joe Quinn
8 September 2014