GRIDDLE 10K AND FUN RUN
Sunday was, as usual a perfect day for the 6th running of the Griddle 10K and Fun Run which is now established as a serious test of endurance.
THE 10K RACE
The 10K race was deservedly won by a great supporter of all East Down’s events, last year’s runner up Richard Coey in 36.54 from Ballydrain Harriers with Aidan Brown 37.11 from Newcastle in 2nd and Murlough’s Alan Johnston 37.24 in 3rd.
Paddy McDonald made his debut in East Down’s colours and could be more than pleased with his performance, breaking 50 minutes in what was a baptism of fire while Ciaran McCaffrey from Clones AC was completing his 119th race this year, 12 of which were in East Down promoted events. A word too for Declan McGrady who also chose this extreme test of stamina for only his second attempt at the distance.
LADIES WINNERS
The Ladies race was won by East Down’s Catherine O’ Connor 41.21 from Virginia Ervine 46.28 Mourne Runners with Lisa Milligan 52.08 in 3rd. Only 8 women in total took part but judging by the entry n the previous day’s events in Tollymore – see below – it isn’t because of the prospect of a few hills.
Newcastle AC won the athletic club team competition with Saul GAC winning the non-athletic club trophies.
THE 5K “FUN RUN”
The winner of the 5K race, which is actually 6K, was East Down’s Owen Edwards in an impressive 23.36 with up and coming club mate James Smyth 24.23 in second and the hard working Tony Carson 25.24 in 3rd. Next in was first of the female runners, another triumph for East Down’s Laura Gardiner with the stylish Aoife Cochrane taking second and the fast finishing Elisha Surginor in 3rd. The local club supplied 7 of the top 10 finishers and 11 of the top 15 and with a turnout of 17 in total the juniors from the club are to be congratulated for switching to this alternative when the cross country races in Kilbroney fell victim to the weather.
Indeed several other runners who ran under the Saul banner or none were also East Down members or had been until very recently. Cathal Kinsella and Naoise O’ Hagan caught the eye in this category. Laura Murphy showed great improvement and is clearly benefitting from sustained training as is Dionne McEvoy. Samantha Anderson too is always resolute and is a good example of dedication to follow. Anna Gardiner was best placed of the primary school children in 11th spot, outdoing her Dad Paddy, and just ahead of Martin Burke and Chloe Galloway while Grace Surginor and Aoife Burke fought out a great sprint finish ahead of Andrew McGrattan and Cora McLoughlin.
THANK YOU
Sincere thanks are offered to the PSNI personnel, First Aid providers, the Registration and Results crew, all who marshaled and helped in any way and to all the event sponsors.
26 EXTREME ULTRA and MARATHON
It may not have been the best time of year for an all day event but nevertheless the 26 Extreme Ultra, Full Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K in Tollymore Park on Saturday took from dawn till dusk to complete and included in its presentation a monsoon, sunshine, showers and balmy temperatures at different times of the day. Phillip Vint opted for the Ultra, 40 miles of flat running interrupted by the occasional mountain, tidal wave and plenty of verbal “encouragement” from the sidelines. He finished this extreme test of stamina and mental resolve in 6 hours 32 minutes and 32 seconds to claim an incredible 11th place overall, while in the Marathon Michael Cultra well and truly exorcised the demons of Dublin with an outstanding 3hours.20 mins for overall 4th place. Charlie Ataliotis too performed out of his skin to finish in 4.37 in 43rd position.
Superb running!
LINDA’S 30th
And then along came the girls. Linda Cunningham completing her 10th marathon of the year and her 30th overall, Yes that’s right her 10th of the year! As ever with a smile on her face this time she was mightily supported by Oonagh Brétéché who deserves an award for going to the line again less than 3 weeks after her exertions in Dublin. Thankfully there are no further marathons scheduled before the end of the year so they may have to take my advice and have a rest!
SIMON’S IS A HALF’UN
Linda’s usual accompanist Simon McGrattan elected for the half marathon distance this time and had an enjoyable afternoon with his wife Eithne, who took the distance and the terrain n her stride for an impressive 2.37. Simon also turned up at Saul next day for his warm down in the Griddle 10K – does he never rest? Also in the field in the husband and wife stakes was Mickey Cunningham, cruising round in 2 hours with Cathy Burke and Helen Vint forming another impressive duo and coming home in 2.11.
Super running all round though it was rumoured that they only ran for the free burgers on offer to all finishers. While they were all burgered at the end I don’t really believe that.
Next year I’m going to earn a burger too!
RUN IN THE DARK
Earlier in the week Joanne Carson took part in the Run in the Dark 10K in Stormont, a tough wee run which unfortunately resulted in a pulled muscle, but still came home in 59.01, a very creditable effort in the circumstances.
Joe Quinn
17 November 2014