Where was the noisiest place in Co Down on Saturday? Probably the last place you would guess would be the Silent Valley? But it certainly was as nearly 550 pairs of feet, supporting runners of all shapes, sizes and levels of fitness made their way round the latest Born2Run event, the Dambusters Half Marathon and 10K races set in the beautiful and mostly very Silent Valley in the heart of the Mournes. Apart from the noise from said feet and the occasional fit of heavy breathing the Valley echoed to the strains of Simply the Best and other inspirational tunes as first the Half Marathon competitors swarmed (apologies here to our pollen carrying friends in the honey producing sector, if any if you are offended by this comparison) into the Park having set off from Kilkeel some 3 miles down the road. Then it was the turn of the 300 10K runners to join in and test themselves in the 3 Mile ascent to Ben Crom reservoir. The consolation waiting at that point was that the remainder of the race is downhill.
MARTIN NAILS THE 10K
After holding a watching brief for a few kilometres and allowing the early pacesetters to blow themselves out, East Down’s Martin Willcox went to the front and cruised to a comfortable victory in 36.40. The Club’s only other representative in the 10K was Donna Russell who was more than happy to break the hour mark, posting 59.36 over a very challenging course.
THE HALF
Main interest from my point of view, unfortunately standing watching, was the intra club battle between a slimline Declan Teague and a rejuvenated Phillip Vint. I don’t know why Oscar Wilde’s description of fox hunting, the unspeakable in pursuit of the uneatable came to mind but while both of the aforementioned probably fit well into the latter category, on Saturday it was more a case of the unstoppable in pursuit of the uncatchable. Phillip was always shadowing Dcclan while Declan was holding a little in reserve to ward off any late challenges from behind. In the event Declan hit his target of sub 90 minutes with a steady1.29.31 timing in 12th place while Phillip eased back to record 1.30.04 in 14th place. Who wants to be 13th anyway?
THE REST
Also taking on the challenge, and it is very much that with almost 6 miles of steady climbing from the start, was Lisa Milligan, another making her way back to peak fitness while trying to avoid the overuse injuries. She looked completely in control throughout and like all good distance runners do, ran her own race to record a very impressive 1.59.18 with Liz O’ Hagan clearly enjoying the stroll in the park and posting 1.59.52. Meantime John Manley was taking a spot of leave from gardening and he too looked comfortable in what were very humid conditions, clocking 1.53.02.
Two other notable performances came from two of the organisers of next Saturday’s Strangford Festival 10K Race and 5K Fun Run, Neil Curran 1.49.53 and Gareth Reilly1.50.11. The fun begins in the village at 11.00am.
NEW PB FOR BRENDAN
Further down the road Brendan Teer finished a superb 6th in the Frank Duffy 10 Mile Road Race in Phoenix Park in a new pb time of 53.04, which was 24 seconds faster than his wining time in Portaferry last month.
THIS WEEKEND – FRIDAY NIGHT
Just when you thought it was all over you now discover that it’s only just begun! (Could be a song or two in there somewhere?)Two popular events this weekend, beginning on Friday night with the Killyleagh 5 Miles Race in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society. The action begins at 6.30pm with the Primary School Team challenge around the streets of the village followed by the new Club Team Challenge for children aged 11 to 16, with teams of 4 competing over a new street circuit for the trophy. Clubs and schools can enter as many teams of 4 as they want with the cumulative total of finishing places deciding the winner. Entries for both junior races and for the 5 Miles Race beginning at 7.30 pm will be taken on the night in the Bridge Centre form 6.00 pm onwards.
And SATURDAY MORNING
(and possibly a Film to follow?) Anyone wanting a loosener after Friday night’s exertions could do worse than to have a go at the Strangford Festival 10K which begins at 11.00 am on Saturday, so there is also the opportunity to have a lie in beforehand too. The route does not take in Castleward Estate this year and is regarded as a fast one – but then that’s down to how fast your legs will go anyway!
Online entries are open until midnight tonight Wed 26 August at www.athleticsni.org or on the day from 9.00 am in St Joseph’s Primary School, Downpatrick Rd Strangford on the morning of the race, from where race packs can also be collected between 7 and 9.00 pm on Friday 28th. T – shirts and goody bags will be provided for all 10K entrants.
Joe Quinn
24 August 2015