Hill and DALE – Round 5 – ROCKY
Thursday and the arrival of race 5 means the Hill and Dale series has almost reached the half way point – and I’ve only done two, so it’s farewell to my chances of getting this year’s award for completing 6 out of the 11 rounds – those among you who are about to criticise my former maths teacher for dereliction of duty should hold off. I know it’s theoretically possible to do another 4 out of the remaining 6, but given that they include Slieves Lough Shannagh and Donard and a couple of other equally hairy and scary ones I trust you’ll understand my reasoning. Anyway Thursday night saw the return to Rocky – good name for a film that? – and with several East Down regulars missing due to the call of the Les Jones “easier option 10K”on Friday night it was Neil Andrews who led the way for the East Down contingent, claiming a very respectable in 27th place overall with Gavin Hynds while Niamh Kellettt won her category and remains a leading contender for silverware come the end of the series.
LES JONES 10K
Friday night was ideal for the latest running of this popular event, much of it along the Lagan towpath, before the tough climb into Barnett’s Park, and Martin Willcox flew the East Down colours superbly, taking 7th place in 36.07 just behind Deane Fisher who is on the comeback trail after a long absence from the top flight. In a race where breaking 40 minutes is a major feather in the cap, Martin’s time is quite remarkable and he was joined in that elite fraternity and in the top 50 finishers by Davy Foster 38.24, Dee Murray 38.23 and Liam Keenan 39.53. Just outside that group came Liam Smyth 40.42, another very encouraging run, followed by Gavin Hynds and Gareth Kelly, both of whom made the top 100. Not to be outdone Alison Gilliland kept the Ladies flame burning brightly with another well judged race to take 97 place in 42.55 with Joanne Foster just 6 places behind in 43.11. Both of them are running out of their skins at present.
3 LAKES 7 and 15K RACES
Saturday morning and the weather was even better than Friday and the scene at the Lakeside Inn was idyllic.
Brendan Teer has been noticeably absent from the racing scene of late, due to the after effects of the Dublin marathon and a series of niggling injuries and more recently, by the sudden passing of his father. However as the only winner of the 3 Lakes 15K in its three year history, it was anticipated in some quarters that he might choose Saturday’s renewal as the platform for his comeback. And so it proved though the appearance of former Jimmy’s Ten winner, David Simpson, now with Newcastle AC, meant it would not necessarily be an easy morning for the East Down man. However in the event he won fairly comfortably in 51.59, over 2 minutes ahead of Simpson with Paul Burns 57.26 marking a return to form in third place. Just behind Paul was Michael Cultra 59.20 with the ever improving Jonny Kelly 63.29 in 10th place overall..
HOW THE LADIES FARED
Following her success on Thursday night Niamh Kellett 63.41won the Ladies race giving the lie to those who say that 2 races in 3 days is impossible, thus putting to shame many of her fellow runners, who turned out in neither. Ballydrain’s Amanda Jackson and Claire Ingram were second and third respectively. All the East Down ladies Clare Carson, Alison Carroll, Sinead Kinsella and Cathy Burke all confessed to enjoying the scenery around the course and also set excellent times.
A special word of praise and congratulations for Eithne McGrattan and Bernice McCann who took part in the race and enjoyed themselves hugely in the process. Not only that but they are worth their weight in gold for the inspiration they provide to everyone wherever they go.
BALLYDRAIN MULTI-TASKER
If ever a club deserved a prizewinner it is Ballydrain for they are the most supportive team anywhere, and with 26 runners in the race on Saturday they were the best represented club. Club stalwart Norman Mawhinney, despite running in the Les Jones 10K on Friday where he won the Over 50 category in 38.25 not only turned out again but also won the Over 50 category here too and then ran 38.14 in the NI 10K Track Championship race on Sunday.
FUN RUN
East Down’s juniors totally dominated the 7K Fun Run with 8 of the top 10 and 13 of the top 20 runners coming from the Club. Daniel Atkinson 25.57 took the honours this year with Lagan Valley’s Callum McCabe last year’s third, second in 26.28 and Matthew McGrattan 28.33 a commendable and hard fought third. Edie Carroll 5th overall won the Ladies race from Kirsty Foster and Virginia Ervine.
Below are the East Down placings in the 7K Fun Run, with notable runs from mother and daughter Carol and Aimee McCloy.
THANK YOU
Fruit and water were on offer afterwards and with this year’s nominated charity, the Downs Syndrome Association, providing water bottles and running vests to all 15K participants everyone had reason to be satisfied with their day. Downpatrick Lions Club wish to thank all those who took part in the races, East Down AC officials, everyone who helped at registration, all the marshals, the PSNI, and anyone who helped make the race such a success. A special word of thanks to Margaret and Geoffrey Ferguson, the ever welcoming and helpful hosts at the Lakeside Inn, who put the premises and their facilities at the disposal of the race organisers and the runners themselves. Pam Brown, recently elected President of Athletics NI was the special guest and was fulsome in her praise of the scenic beauty of the area on her first visit to Ballydugan.
COAST TO COAST
On Sunday 8 of East Down’s endurance athletes made their way to Kilbroney park in Rostrevor to take part in the final leg of the Coast to Coast multi-discipline event, the 35K trek through the mountains to the centre of Newcastle. Unfortunately I don’t have the official results at the time of writing but am reliably informed that Phillip Vint led the squad home in overall 5th place , with Mickey Cunningham using his recently acquired Hill and Dale skills to make up considerable ground on his rivals on the descent from Donard. Happy to report too that Stephen McCartan made a welcome return to competition – nothing like an easy 35K to break you in Stevie!- It is debatable though whether the group found the climb to the saddle along the Brandy Pad and the “all downhill to the finish” at the Newcastle centre or the journey to Rostrevor in Simon’s jeep the more daunting, but suffice to say none off them volunteered to travel back with him to pick up the vehicle afterwards.. However Well Done to all this intrepid bunch who with one or two exceptions had all finished the Belfast marathon less than 2 weeks ago. Me? I’m still waiting for permission to run my first mile since then!
JUNIORS IN FORM
East Down’s Juniors were prominent in the recent District Schools Track and Field championships at Mary Peters Track.
SENIOR AND INTERMEDIATE RESULTS
Laura Gardiner: 1st in Senior 800m and 1500m
James Smyth: 5th in Inter 1500m
Daniel Atkinson: 6th in Inter 3000m
Matthew McGrattan: 2nd in Inter 400m
JUNIOR GIRLS RESULTS
Hannah Gilliland: 2nd in 1500m
Edie Carroll: 2nd in 800m
As a result of these performances Edie, Hannah, Laura and Matthew will take part in the Ulster Schools Championships on 20/21 May
Joe Quinn
16 May 2016