It had been 6 years until last February since I last reported on the Comber Cup yet on Saturday past, barely 6 months down the line, it was Comber Cup day again! This came about because the event had been allocated its original October slot courtesy of the Cross Country League fixtures scheduling. All of which must have seemed particularly hard on Newcastle AC to have to defend their title well inside the normal 12 month period, having won the event in magnificent style then,. The explanation of course is quite simple – Newcastle won the 2013 competition held in 2014 as the league overlaps 2013/14 while Saturday’s event was the 2014 competition held in 2014 as part of the 2014/15 league !! Easy to understand isn’t it?
THE TEAM CONTEST
And how Newcastle fought to retain the Cup. It was clear from early on that it was going to be a close run affair with several clubs in the mix. First it looked like City of Derry, led by Alan Bogle, held the upper hand, then it was North Belfast who appeared in the ascendancy, and then Newcastle started to squeeze, with slow burner David McNeilly moving through the field. All the while Brendan Teer was at the front alongside Bogle with Barrie Atkinson next East Down man well inside the top 20. Michael Cultra having started slowly was also improving his place with every stride and battle had well and truly commenced.
However even the mathematicians among the large and enthusiastic crowd, and I counted almost five using a simple single handed formula, abandoned their predictions after lap one such was the ebb and flow of the contest. Everyone just sat back and enjoyed an enthralling race.
In the end North Belfast Harriers took the Cup by the minimum 1 point margin over Newcastle’s magnificent effort with City of Derry in third and East Down 4thh of the 11 competing teams. Their squad consisted of Brendan Teer, Barrie Atkinson, Michael Cultra, Martin Willcox, Francis Tumelty, Paul Burns, Liam Keenan, Mark McDowell and Declan Teague. Just to prove that mathematicians should always use both hands the Club would have earned another bonus point in the League competition if they had fielded another runner, and allegedly another person wearing Club colours was seen on the course during the Vets/Ladies race, though there is still doubt as to whether he was actually running, so may not have counted anyway.
INDIVIDUAL
The front trio of Brendan Teer (East Down AC), Allan Bogle (City of Derry AC) and Mark McKinstry (North Belfast Harriers) quickly moved away from the rest, forming an elite leading group. Then having spent 2 laps checking out the strength of the opposition Teer, the former NI & Ulster Junior XC Champion, simply moved up a gear at the beginning of lap three of four and left the very competitive Bogle trailing in his wake, crossing the line almost 30 seconds ahead with McKinstry holding out bravely for 3rd spot. A great run Brendan by any standard. Another eyecatching performance on the day was undoubtedly that of 4 times Jimmy’s Ten winner Paul Rowan Willowfield Harriers who made up something like10 places in the second part of the race to secure 4th place. This was some run by Rowan, who will be welcomed to Downpatrick again next March to try to add to his winning total there.
And the gods smiled on the hard working Ballydrain organisers rewarding them with a hot sunny day to greet a great turnout, great spectator support.
ANNA AND MACKENZIE STAR
In the opening Primary School race East Down’s Mackenzie Murray and Anna Gardiner both finished their respective races in 3rd place with Michael O’Connor the only other Primary school runner from East Down in 11th place overall.
JUNIOR BOYS and GIRLS
Owen Edwards, Daniel Atkinson, James Smyth making his debut, Martin Burke and Cameron Herron turned out for the Club in the Boys Under 16 race while Aoife Cochrane, Laura Green, Elisha Surginor, Ella and Edie Carroll, and Mary Jo Tumelty represented the Girls. Caolan Atkinson was the sole representative in the Under 18 race as they ALL prepare for the Even Age Group Championships in 2 weeks time.
LADIES AND (OLD) GENTLEMEN
In the ladies and Vet Over 60 Men’s 6k race, North Down AC athletes Rachel Gibson and Jessica Craig and East Down’s Catherine O’Connor were prominent figures at the front throughout. And although Catherine led for part of the final lap it was Rachel, the fastest lady at the most recent NiRunning Mile, who secured victory in 23:47. . Jessica followed just two seconds later in 23:49, before ever improving mountain runner Catherine O’Connor claimed a splendid 3rd place in 23:55.
Laura Gardiner opted for the longer 6K race in preference to the Under 18 race but picked up a stitch early on and struggled to 27th place. The question I ask is how do those people at he front know the shortcuts? I was barely into my 3rd lap (not so much a comeback as a hold back) when the commentator was announcing the approach of the leaders to the finish line, almost 2K ahead. I suspect if they don’t know the shortcuts they may have started halfway round the first lap.
NEXT WEEKEND
The Dundrum 8 Mile race is the big event next week and the hope must be for calm weather along the beach. See you there.
Joe Quinn
13 October 2014