ROLLERCOASTER RACES
It could have been the weather or the Half Term break or just the fact that the event was 2 weeks later than usual this year but whatever the reason the number of children taking part in Saturday’s Rollercoaster races at Downpatrick Racecourse was significantly down on last year. Having said that, almost 200 children braved the biting wind and occasional skiff of sleet and rain to warm the hearts of teachers, parents and us old guys who stand around with 5 layers of clothing wondering why the kids are fighting for a place on the start line and imploring the starter to blow the whistle. Well Done to You All.
P3 BOYS AND GIRLS – 400 METRES
The first race of the day featured the P3 Girls and saw Helen Barbour and Erin Easton give All Children’s IPS Newcastle an inspirational one, two start with East Down’s Aoibheann McVeigh in 3rd. The youngest of the Foster girls was 7th in this race and we’ll wait with great interest to see if she can make a similar improvement to that of sister Kari in the coming year.
The Boys P3 race was won by Archie Ross from Darragh McAinden Our Lady and St Patrick’s and Louis Leblanc All Children’s IPS Newcastle.
P4 RACES – KARI and ALEXANDER STAR
The P4 Girls race Kari Foster led an East Down one, two with Erin Moore, ahead of Loughview IPS Sarah Derby-Murray in 3rd. This was a remarkable performance by Kari who was 17th in last year’s P3 race which was won by Sarah with Erin 3rd. Lena Proctor Amos also performed well in this race
In the P4 Boys race Alexander Robinson (East Down) gained revenge for his 2016 defeat in the P3 race, turning the tables in the process on his conqueror Jack Hynds Our Lady and St Patrick’s, with Isaac McAlinden also of Our Lady and St Patrick’s again in 3rd.
P5 GIRLS AND BOYS – 500 METRES
Shea Holland was the winner of the P5 Boys race getting St Patrick’s Legamaddy onto the podium for the first time on the day, just as he had done last year on the P4 race, with East Down’s Harry Fitzsimons in second place and another Legamaddy star Seaney Dugggan taking 3rd place.
In the Girl’s race Jodi Foster matched her younger sister Kari’s performance in the previous race with a 10 second victory over Orangegrove and Loughview’s Sarah Van Der Linde with All Children’s Robyn Bonner in 3rd place.
P6/7 RACE – LAUREN and CALLUM SET THE STANDARD
The biggest field of the day saw 39 Girls line up at the 1K mark for the P6/7 race, and as last year, it was East Down’s Lauren Madine who set the pace and held of the challenge of her Clubmates Anna Gardiner and Lucy Foster to claim a magnificent 1, 2,3 for the host club. Orlaith Rogan and Mia Proctor-Amos representing St Patrick’s PS Legamaddy were 2 other East Down members to catch the eye
In the Boys race, Callum Kent set out his intentions from the start and fairly stormed home to win by 4 seconds from Joe Williams with Beechmount’s Finn Diver in 3rd.
ALL CHILDREN’S IPS PIPPED BY 1 POINT
The John McKeag Shield for best Boys team was retained by Our Lady and St Patrick’s Primary School, their scoring quartet being Jake Harding4th, Ben Hynds 8th Cormac O’Hare 10th and Shea Vaughan 11th, making a total of 33 points, a mere point clear of All Children’s IPS Newcastle. Our sympathy to them as they lost out last year by just 4 points. Perhaps 2018 will be their year?
Loughview IPS once again took theGirls School team prize with Mia Ferguson 6th, Olivia Chandler 8th, Rachel Derby-Murray9th and Niesa O’Neill 14th being their scorers.
The Shield and trophies for both team competitions were as ever generously sponsored by Honorary Life Member, the sprightly 94 year old John McKeag, who was on hand to make the presentations.
AGE 13 and UNDER – DOUBLE FOR GEORGE
In the Boys Under 13 race East Down’s George McBratney once again took the honours, winning in fine style from Beechmount’s Criostoir Browne and Newcastle’s Dara Rodgers. Mackenzie Murray was a close up 4th with Declan Hampton 7th.
In the Girls equivalent it was Kirsti Foster whose victory made it a hat trick of victories for the Foster family on the day, ahead of North Down’s Holly Massey and 3rd placed Abbie Ross from Lagan Valley. Colleen Burke battled bravely against the elements to 8th place
AGE 15 and UNDER
The age 15 and under race saw a disappointing total of just 4 Boys and Girls take the line though it provided an impressive display from Beechmount’s James Jack Gracey who clocked 9.23 for the 2.5K. The Girls race enabled Niamh McBratney to emulate the winning feat of younger bother George earlier, holding off Beechmount’s Bryanna Catney with East Down’s Aoife Burke in third place.
DAVID TOPS IN 5K
Newcastle’s David McNeilly proved a more than capable stand in for last year’s winner and clubmate David O’ Flaherty, who was there in a purely paternal role, taking the lead from the off and holding off the much improved East Down man Ciaran Denvir, who in fact took 52 seconds off his 2016 time for the race. Annadale’s Conor McMullan maintained his recent good form and was not far behind in 3rd place. The Over 35 winner was another East Down man Davy Foster with Beechmount’s Michael Magee the first Over 45 category and James McCracken from Dromore the first Over 55 an across the line.
THIRD TIME LUCKY FOR GERRIE
Gerrie Short from Beechmount proved the old adage “If at first you don’t succeed try, try again” by winning the senior 5K after finishing second in each of the past 2 years. East Down’s Laura Gardiner was second with Ballydrain’s former Lagan Valley stalwart Ruth Perioli in third place.
East Down’s Cheryl Denvir was first Over 35 Lady while Virginia Ervine Mourne Runners picked up the Over 45 prize
UNDER 20s DOMINATED by EAST DOWN JUNIORS
Aoife Cochrane retained her Under 20 crown with another fine run, finishing strongly ahead of Laura Green and Ella Carroll while Matthew McGrattan really mixed it with the big boys, producing a superb sprint finish to take the Under 20 Male prize and overall 6th place.
THANKS
A huge debt of thanks is owed to all who braved the elements on Saturday, to the registrars, the sound men, the marshals and officials, and volunteer club members, to the Down Race Club staff and to Caitriona and her family from wrap’ n’ roll who provided for everyone the tastiest soup available anywhere.
DUNE HALF MARATHON
Several of the Club’s senior members travelled to Newry on Sunday for the Dune Half Marathon which is run along the canal and lough shore to Carlingford.
Best performance of the day was Declan Teague’s 1.30.33 and 79th place, a good return on a cold day, though Carmel Tumelty would probably argue the higher satisfaction factor for her 1.58.32 as it represents a 7 minute improvement on last year. I found out that Michael McKeown ran it in 1.36.01 or 1.40.17, or perhaps he did it twice? In the absence of clubs or age groups being published it’s impossible to know. I’m sure he was one of the two listed but as he’s capable of both times I’m no nearer knowing. But well done to both of you anyway!!
Well done to Linda Cunningham too who finished in 2.20.02 and her sister Jackie Moore from Murlough who was just ahead of her. Almost 800 runners completed the race, Well Done to all of them.
My apologies to any of our members who I may have missed in searching through the results, especially any of the juniors who may have been listed under their school’s name at the Rollercoaster races and whose names therefore do not jump out at me.
District Schools’ XC at Kilbroney
The District Schools’ Cross Country races were held in Kilbroney Park last week but I have been unable to find any official or even unofficial results to comment on individual placings. However we had a great showing of EDAC Juniors turning out for their schools. As they weren’t sporting their distinctive club vest it was hard to spot them but well done to each and every one of you. I counted over 20 of you who made it on to the team for your school.
The following qualified for the Ulster XC Champs by coming in the first 14 of their category – SENIOR GIRLS Laura Gardiner (2nd), Ellen Erskine (3rd) Aoife Cochrane (6th) Laura Green (10th), Ella Carroll(14th) SENIOR BOYS James Smyth (10th) INTER GIRLS Edie Carroll (5th) Niamh McBratney(14th) MINOR BOYS George McBratney (8th) MINI GIRLS Kirsti Foster (2nd)
If anyone was left off that list please let me know.
LAST MAN STANDING
Next Weekend it’s Last Man Standing time at Castleward again. I must get out for some training runs before then – strictly speaking I should have started long ago.
Joe Quinn
13 February 2017