The start of the second running of the Belfast City Half Marathon was delayed by an hour on Sunday morning due to an accident involving one of the PSNI motorcyclists on her way to help marshal the event. So the near 4000 runners stood in the dry but cool start area inside Balmoral Showgrounds slowly realising that they had discarded their old T-shirts much too early. Thankfully there was no rain but all were mightily relieved when the announcement came that the road was open again and the gun set the ace in motion at 10.00.
The race started and finished inside the vast complex and organisers had addressed the complaints from last year about shortage of toilet facilities and the absence of water stations on route. It was just as well as the cool conditions and the build up of pre-race nerves meant the former was under severe pressure during the delay, probably contributed to by over indulgence in the availability of the latter.
Anyway Michael Cultra showed no signs of stiffness or negative reaction from the delay, setting off strongly and chalking up a super new PB of 1.21.22 and claiming a top 40 place into the bargain. This was a high quality field, the race won in the last few strides by Belfast Marathon winner Freddy Sittuk 67.31, the Dublin based Kenyan who just proved too strong for local favourite Eddie McGinley67.34, former Jimmy’s Ten winner, who is gearing up for another attempt at the Dublin marathon next month.
Declan Teague, welcomed the delayed start for a little respite coming of night shift and responded with a new PB 1.25.30 followed by Mark O’Connor 1.28.13 who although he is not Catherine’s brother, as erroneously reported last week ,(don’t believe everything you read in the papers!) he certainly seems to share the same genetic make up in terms of running ability. His was a magnificent effort after breaking the 40 minute barrier in last weekend’s Laganside 10K.
Gerard McAuley was a little disappointed at failing to improve on last year’s time but should still be happy with a 1.30. 18 time – what some of us would give to come within 30 minutes of that!
Raymond Milligan 1.31.59 had reason to smile with his PB while Mick McCreesh 1.33.56 was positively ecstatic at knocking almost 20 minutes off last year’s mark!!
Sandwiched in between was the ever consistent Michael McKeown 1.32.32 who said last week that the Dingle Half was the best and most scenic he’d ever done. Heed his words folks I think he’s done them all.
FIRST TIME LADY
James Magennis 1.38.39 was another to clock a good time just ahead of Gareth Kelly 1.41, while Charlie Ataliotis 1.47.33 is clearly on the way back to top fitness and Gary Cull despite injury and training setbacks clocked a more than respectable
1.50.56 and Mark Johnston 2.01 completed the Male squad from East Down. The only Lady from the club to compete, due to injury of her prospective partner Betty McCartan was half marathon debutante Paula Savage. It has to be said that she could have done without the delay at the start as with any first timer the nerves and the doubts can increase the longer you have to hang about, while the cool air was not welcome either to the ranks of warmed up athletes. But nevertheless she can be very pleased with a time of 2.05 and a top half of the field finish place.
Well done to her and all the locals who completed the course including Robert Miskelly 2.25 making his debut at the distance in the Over 70s category,.
The first round of the McGrady’s Financial Services Junior Cross Country took place later in the day in the Spring Gardens in Castlewellan Forest Park. More details on that next week as there were many excellent performances from all the clubs concerned.
STEEPLECHASE IN DELAMONT on SATURDAY
Next Saturday the action switches from the roads to the trails and beauty of Delamont Country Park for the 2nd Action Mental Health Steeplechase comprising 2 races, a 3 Mile Fun Run for the younger fraternity and novices with a longer 6 Mile Chase aimed at the seniors. Both are novelty events which nonetheless are expected to attract a good number of serious runners keen to find out if they can cope with some upward movement while travelling forward. The jumps and hurdles will all be relatively low and easy to jump, the question will be whether the fleet of foot can live with the frequency of the obstacles. On a par with the horseracing tradition there will be a jump every quarter mile or so.
Online entry open at www.athleticsni.org and entries will also be taken on the day from 9.00am. Free parking and toilets but no showers.
Please come and support this charity which maintains the New Horizons facility at Ballydugan Road.
Joe Quinn
15 September 2014