TITANIC 10K
With many in the process of fine tuning their preparations for the London marathon in 2 weeks time and the Belfast equivalent in just over 3, there was a smaller than normal East Down contingent in the Titanic Quarter on Sunday for the annual 10K. In the absence of last year’s winner Paul Pollock and the recently dominant Project Africa athletes the opportunity for Ulster”s home based squad was seized by Glaslough’s Conor Duffy who came home just 8 seconds ahead of last year’s third placed Scott Rankin of Foyle Valley, with Omagh’s Paul Barbour in 3rd. East Down’s best was Michael Cultra 36.35 with Andrew Telford 37.40 continuing to post remarkable times. Ciaran Denvir 38.53 set a new pb too breaking the 40 minute barrier. Lisa Burke 49.55 must have been delighted as she broke through the 50 minute barrier together with Oonagh Breteche 49.42.with Cathy Burke and Clare Carson just over as they start their tapering towards the marathon challenge on 4 May. Colm McNeill’s 34.41 was a massive 1 minute and 40 seconds better than his time in this event last year so well done to him.
JOG AROUND THE BOG
I have been helping with the arrangements for the “Jog around the Bog” a 5.5 mile, multi terrain race which takes place on 25th April in the scenic and beautiful Peatlands Park in Dungannon, clearly marked at Junction 13 on the M1 to celebrate 30 years of Guide Dogs in Northern Ireland.
THE CAUSE
Guide Dogs is a local charity which aims to get people with a visual impairment out and about on their own terms. Although providing guide dogs is their core service, it is understood that a dog is not for everyone, which is why they launched My Guide which matches a trained sighted guide volunteer to someone with a visual impairment in their local area, assisting them to get out and about and visit the places they want to regularly. This reduces the isolation faced by many people with sight loss. More recently Blind Children UK have become part of the Guide Dogs family, meaning that it can now help change the lives of those children, young people and their families living with sight loss to support their needs in any way it can and help give these children a brighter future.
THE COURSE
The run is in a lovely location and is an ideal route for runners of all abilities – it’s flat, multi terrain with lots of boardwalks, tree lined avenues and plenty of springy turf paths as well – it’s not called the Peatlands Park for nothing. And a special plea here to the aficionados of mountain running, it is ideal for you, exactly like the Hill and Dale series only without the Hills! And to crown it all there is a special medal for all finishers and refreshments afterwards.
You don’t really want to miss this one – only those running the London marathon next day have a legitimate excuse – so enter now online at www.athleticsni.org though entries will be taken on the day at increased cost.
LIONS THREE LAKES 7 AND 14K CHARITY RACES
And then for something completely different – nearer to home, though depending on where you live, the next great local race takes place on Saturday 16th May from the Lakeside Inn on the shores of Ballydugan Lake, with a choice of 2 distances, 7 and 14K, the latter of which takes in the shimmering Magheraleggan and Loughinisland Lakes before returning to the Inn. Organised by the hard working Downpatrick Lions Club the proceeds this year will go to the Downs Syndrome Association so runners again will be helping a very worthy cause. Online registration is now open at www.athleticsni.org and entries will also be taken on the day. The date has been moved back a week this year to accommodate runners who have taken part in either London or Belfast marathons and Margaret and Geoffrey Ferguson, hosts at the tranquil and picturesque Lakeside Inn assure a warm welcome for all. Please come.
LONDON MARATHON
The Club extends best wishes to all our members taking part in next weekend’s London Marathon and indeed to all those from local clubs who are running there.
Joe Quinn
13 April 2015