BELFAST MARATHON
EAST DOWN PERFORMANCES
Belfast marathon day on Monday past proved ideal for spectators. However for the runners it was much too hot and windy to produce a lot of Pbs. But many locals succeeded in doing that, led by the superb Laura Graham, of Mourne Runners who won the top Lady’s prize in Belfast just a week after running the London marathon, setting a new PB in the process.
Leading the East Down runners home was Barrie Atkinson who was a last minute entry and who placed overall 23rd in a time of 2.53.04, which is way outside his best but a significant indicator of his fitness at ths early stage of the season. Next and in a comfortable time, for him, of 3.10.33 was Phillip Vint, who like Laura, was another who had completed London a mere 8 days ago. . Raymond Milligan 3.33.20 was next, running comfortably within himself, though again outside his best, followed by Colin Shields in 3.51.10.
Andrew Telford and Mick McCreesh were superb pacers for the 4 hour runners, clocking in at 3.59.28 while Sean Sealey 4.41.17 and David Smith 3.55.34 also a London runner, were content to enjoy the whole experience and help some of their friends through the tough times. Simon McGrattan 4.45.59 seemed to suffer a little in the heat but was still well enough to inflict punishment on those who attended his circuits session on Tuesday night.
LADIES PERFORM WELL
First of the East Down women was Patricia Galloway, setting a new PB of 3.52.53 and looking like she could have gone around again. Other East own females to compete were Clare Carson, in 4.06.14, who was disappointed with her time even though a stomach upset had a dramatic effect on that. It was also great to see Kim Surginor 4.21.28 cross the finish line in a marathon, after a long lay off and Catherine Gilchrist, on her debut marathon clocking 4.34.44. Mags Flynn clocked 4.41.15, though she found it “tough going out there” sentiments echoed by Carmel Tumelty 5.05.22 who’s first Belfast this was, while Linda Cunningham simply hacked up in 5.03.13 – another of the London squad to take part.
A special word of Congratulations to Emma McKee who ran her first ever marathon in 4.50.40, and while well rehearsed in the “Never Again” verdict, I’m sure she will be up for another one as soon as her legs recover.
My apologies to any East Down runners I have missed out on in this report. Congratulations to you all, you have my undying admiration and respect.
DISTRICT SCHOOLS TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS
On Wednesday Several of East Down’s juniors took part in the Schools’ District Track Championships which included the Intermediate (years 11 and 12) and Senior (years 13 and 14) at Mary Peter’s Track.
Matthew McGrattan placed 3rd in the Boys Inter 400 metres, Edie Carroll 2nd in the Inter Girls 800m and Chelsea McCabe qualified for the Girls 100m final with new PB , while in the Senior Girls competition Ellen Erskine won the 800m, Laura Gardiner was 2nd in 1500metres and 4th in 400m. Ella Carroll 6th in the 400metres. Johnny Erskine also competed in the 1500 metres but I cannot find results of his race.
Matthew, Ellen, Laura and Edie qualify for Ulster Schools. Well done to all of them and Good Luck in the finals on the 20th May..
HILL and DALE – BINNIAN
It was the unique Binnian to the Top race on Thursday night, which like the last 2 weeks races I managed to avoid running. So that means that of the six I can do to qualify for the seasonal award I have done just one so far and as that only leaves me with 2 possibles to make up the six? Maths were never my strong point as you can tell from this calculation but maybe I could do some of them, like the Slieve Donard race, twice to make up the shortfall? Speaking of shortfalls, and long falls, indeed my fear of any sort of falls is the reason for my discrimination about which ones I can do and those I cannot. That and just fear of uphills, downhills and everything in between. It was however good to see Neil Andrews back in action again after his absence in recent weeks and a top 25 finish is a good reference point for the weeks ahead. Gavin Hynds, 73rd was next EDAC man home, followed by our leading lady, Joanne Foster, in 102nd place and Brian Hamilton 191st and Janine Muray doing very well on her first crack at Binnian to complete in just over 41 minutes
ANDREW STARS IN NIRUNNING and BMC NIGHT OF MILES
Friday night at Mary Peters Track saw the East Down squad acquit themselves extremely well., at all levels. Andrew Telford, after his exertions in the marathon on Monday opted for something less stressful when he ran a superb race to post a time 5.25.19 which placed him 40th overall in the One Mile challenge, in a field of over 200.
FOSTER GIRLS FLYING AFTER LAUREN
Lauren Madine also won her 1 mile race in a time of 5.51.35, placing her 66th overall and 6th Female with Kirsti Foster 2nd in her race in 6.01.65, ranking her 78th and 12th Female and her sister Lucy 3rd in 6.08.05, 83rd overall and 15th Female. Not to be outdone third sister Jodi won the under 10 race in a fantastic 6.18.72, which ranked her 96th overall and 20th Female! What a marker those times put down for the future!
LISBURN RELAYS on SUNDAY
A hectic week of events came to an end on Sunday afternoon in sun baked Wallace Park in Lisburn where East Down fielded 2 Female and one Male teams. The entries were very disappointing in both races and indeed in the age group races which preceded them, though given the amount of races and athletics events taking place at the present and specifically over the last and the coming 2 weeks it would perhaps be worthwhile considering moving the event to another date – if a blank one could be found!! In former years the Lisburn Relays was a highly competitive event which attracted top teams from the all the Home countries, when held in October, though a midweek date in the Summer time might prove more attractive now?
LADIES DO WELL
Anyway both the Male and Female races were won convincingly by Beechmount Harriers, with East Down’s B Team, Catherine O’Connor, Janine Murray, Alison Gilliland and Lisa Laird taking a commendable 3rd place with the A team, Marguerite Robinson, Kim and Elisha Surginor and Ella Carroll, in 5th.
MALES COULD DO BETTER
The Male team was made up of Karen McFall, Robet Miskelly, Tom Dowie and me. The sharp witted amongst you will have noticed that the Male team was in fact a Mixed one and would clearly have won that category if one existed, being the only one in it, but while it had been my intention to field the “Young Ones” quartet which debuted at Bangor in the Cross Country Relays earlier this year, the unavailability of one member and my inability to recruit a replacement of suitable vintage resulted in me having to draft in my daughter Karen at very short notice. While it undoubtedly improved by 20 years the total age of the team it also placed it in danger of disqualification for fielding an ineligible runner! But common sense prevailed and thankfully we retained our record of never having failed to finish in last place.
Well done to Tom for his 6.36 penultimate mile – other teams will be head hunting him now!
JUNIORS SHOW UP THE SENIORS
Mackenzie Murray won the under 13 race from his clubmates Ollie and Alex Robinson to set a standard that their seniors could not match. Well done to them.
I also heard that Linda Cunningham completed another marathon in Drumquin in the Run for Killian event at the weekend, with Mickey also completing the 26.2. Sure what else would you do on a sunny Sunday? Well perhaps the Relays at Lisburn would be an easier option?
The EDAC Series
If you haven’t already read the post relating to the EDAC series please scroll to the post below on this homepage. Since two events have now taken place some members have got points to their tally already! I will be doing a scan of results and presenting the scores on the doors to encourage those who have got off the blocks and to motivate those who are still thinking of which events to do. Speaking of which – the next one included in the series is this Saturday and close to home so no excuse to miss out! See next paragraph…
DOWNPATRICK LIONS 3 LAKES CHARITY RACE
This weekend the big event locally is the 3 Lakes Race on Saturday 13 May starting at 11.00am and with a Fun Run over 7K and a 15K for the more experienced runners a big turnout is eagerly anticipated to raise funds for the Downs Syndrome Association, the Lions designated Charity this year. The Association is providing running vests to all 15K runners and water bottles to all entrants so there is optimism that a big turnout of local runners will provide a significant source of revenue for this worthy cause. Medals will be provided for all finishers and with Belfast Marathon winner and Irish National Marathon Champion and Jimmy’s Ten winner Laura Graham heading up the entries an exciting day’s racing is in prospect.
While entries will be taken from 9.00am on the day runners are encouraged to enter online at https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?event_id=3526 which will be open until midnight tonight (Wed). For further information please contact Joe Quinn on 07933214894 or via email joemarathon50@btinternet.com or contact Adrian Daye on 07876560015 or via emailatlas@atlasrunning.co.uk
CIARA BURNS – RIP
Everyone in the Club was shocked and saddened last week to learn of the sudden death of Ciara Burns, sister of Club Coach Paul. Ciara’s death came just 2 years after the passing of her father. Her departure has left a huge hole in the lives of her mother Anne, brother Paul, sister in law Helen, her niece Sarah and nephew Conor and was cruelly premature. How do you cope with such tragedies? Too many families in recent times have had to bear the loss of young members who, like Ciara, had so much to give. Fulsome tributes in both the press and in person by friends and work colleagues and her associates from the world of Bridge underlined the esteem in which she was held and contributed to the widespread sense of loss. The Club extends its sincere condolences to Anne and Paul, their immediate and wider family circle and assures them of its support at this very difficult time.
Joe Quinn
8 May 2017