Weekly News – 01/05/17

HILL AND DALE Race 3, and FIRMUS ENERGY SUPER 6 SERIES Rd 2

Not a lot vying for the headlines this week with only the 2nd Round of the Firmus Energy Junior Super 6 Series at Mary Peters Track and the  3rd  Hill and Dale Race in Rostrevor, both on Thursday evening, to tempt the running fraternity away from their couches.  It is indeed one of those strange and rare weeks when it’s almost as if runners are catching their breath after the excitement of the London marathon and keeping low profiles for fear of attracting injury or illness, prior to participation in Belfast.  A time when the running scene could be described as “quiet”.

JUNIORS AT FIRMUS ENERGY SUPER 6

Anyway no such considerations or inhibitions concern the juniors who went to Mary Peters Track on Thursday night where Ella Telford, improving all the time, finished 8th fastest overall in the Mini Girls 150 metres after taking 3rd in her heat, with Phoebe McCreesh, also working hard every week, 20th overall of the 31 contestants. Lauren Madine continued her successful season with victory in the Under 13 Girls 200 metres, with Anna Gardiner 15th of the 25 contestants in the same event.Matthew McGrattan was the only male junior to take part and he took a creditable 5th place in the Men’s Under 17 200 metres race, less than 1 second behind the winner, though at that distance a one second difference is quite a lot to make up. I have no doubt that Matthew has the ability and the dedication to do just that. Another of our most dedicated runners and one who I have every confidence will go on to great things is Edie Carroll who took 5th place in a competitive Under 17 Women’s 800 metres race.

H & D ROUND 3

The other group who keep going throughout all forms of distraction are of course the Hill and Dalers, and on Thursday night it was Slieve Martin in Rostrevor’s turn to host the 3rd round in the 2017 series.  I was amazed to discover that this was race 3 as it only seems like yesterday since I set off on the first of this year’s races, fully intending to be up for Binnian next week with the first 3 already in the bag.  But the best laid schemes ……? I have so far managed only one of the first 3 which makes the award for completion of 6 an absolute non starter.

CIARAN TOPS IN ROSTREVOR

This week it was Ciaran Denvir, who led the East Down squad home, taking a splendid 17th place, with Gavin Hynds 75th and Niamh Kellett in 81st our first Lady finisher. Joanne Foster 93rd and Jonny Kelly 99th all made the top 100, as record crowds took part. Brian Hamilton, 170th, Paddy Mcdonald 197th, and Janine Murray 225th all finished well.

LONG DISTANCE EXPERTS

Just a final word of Congratulations to Dee Murray who ran superbly to finish the London marathon (his first) in 2 hours 28 minutes and David Smith in 3.14. And of course to our own running Ironman and fast becoming Club legend Michael Cultra who ran the Dublin to Belfast 107 miles race last weekend in 28 hours and 6 minutes. I can only bow in admiration.

THE LIONS 3 LAKES CHALLENGES

Saturday 13th May is the date for this year’s 3 Lakes Challenge Races, with the event offering 7 and 15K distances. The event is a fundraiser for Lions charities with the beneficiary this year being the Downs Syndrome Association. \online entries are available at www.atlasrunning.co.uk  Entries will also be taken on the day for both races.

Joe Quinn

30 April 2017