BALLYCLARE MAY FAIR 10K RACE AND FUN RUN
In pursuit of points in the recently introduced In- Club competition I headed for Ballyclare on Saturday morning, defying all forecasts of a second Flood which would “sweep the entire country with devastating effects before noon”. Well I didn’t see any of that, nor if truth is told did most of the population. However it is not with any intention of complaining
that I make these comments – quite the contrary in fact, we were all grateful to be spared the wash of the century. None more so than the good folks of County Antrim Harriers who put so much into their annual 10K and 5K Fun Run, that they must have feared the worst on Friday night.
I was not optimistic of improving on last year’s sub 60 minutes for the distance as a 61 minute trial in the Knockevin 10 K last weekend, amid some questions as to whether it actually was the full 10K distance, had not inspired me with any confidence. However, when I heard that Dan Tanui, Belfast marathon winner and unbeaten in NI since his arrival, and at least one of his compatriots from the Project Africa squad, were due to run I decided to hang in with them and see what happened. I was alongside Dan for quite a while at the start, in fact it was only the Starter’s whistle which caused our separation, as Dan took off like a scalded cat while I took off – my T-shirt!!
I was conscious of the fact that the main reason that the Project Africa athletes have been so successful since their arrival is that they run faster than anyone else. So I quickly abandoned the plan and reverted to my “aggravating cyclist” role. If you haven’t experienced it from direct involvement then it goes like this. Cyclists riding 2 abreast and thus preventing impatient motorists behind from overtaking on top of hills, on approaches to crossroads and because of oncoming traffic, thus saving his own life and those of nearly all the motorists you meet everywhere. Well the running equivalent, at least as far as motorists are concerned, is the slow, straggler e.g. me, taking advantage of being allowed to run in the road and trying to get to the finish line uninjured and in one piece.
Back to the race – as soon as my friend Dan had left me behind my reversion to type began. Basically it just means that virtually everyone else cruises past and I was soon “out the back” and at the mercy of the motorist. I have to say that this is the best marshalled race anywhere and dozens of volunteers come close to putting their lives on the (white) line to ensure motorists are aware of runners and that the runners are safe throughout the 10K. If only the one or two imbeciles who feel their hackles rise at the sight of a cyclist or a runner on the road could learn a little tolerance! We’re going as fast as we can!
Anyway it was warm and sticky with not a sign of the forecast, promised deluge to cool the feet and legs. So struggling over the line in 68 minutes was a relief, if not a PB.
Luckily, the Foster and Proctor – Amos families had made the trip too and so with Joanne and Gareth both taking part in the 10K we had sufficient to form an East Down team to qualify for performance points in the long ago mentioned In-Club competition.
Joanne was pleased with her time of 43.08, not far outside her best, as she hasn’t raced over the distance since last year’s Griddle,. Gareth’s 50.54 was a little slower than last year, though he was using it as a training run for the Causeway Coast Half marathon. Alternatively, mine was a lot slower!, but then I’m in training for my TEC (Tail End Charlie) badge.
JUNIORS SHINE
All the East Down juniors did very well in the 5K, with Lauren Madine 19.47 winning the First female prize just 3 seconds ahead of Kirsti Foster 19.50. Not to be outdone, Kirsti’s younger sister Lucy took the Female Junior trophy in 20.20 while Callum Kent was next to finish in overall 12th place. Gareth’s girls Lara and Keira certainly did not disappoint either as Lara improved her 2016 time by 47 seconds to set a new PB of 27.05 and Keira in what was her first ever Club outing making a significant mark of 28.30.
Ollie takes them by surprise
Newry and Mourne District Council hosted a Primary School XC in Kilbroney midweek. In the P6 event there were over 100 hopefuls and Ollie Robinson picked up the prize for first overall. He had a cracking finish to slip into the lead just as he approached the finish line. An example of fine pacing indeed. Well done Ollie!
EAST DOWN at MOUGHANMORE
Gavin Hynds was first of the East Down runners to finish the Moughanmore round of the Hill and Dale Series – and now there are only 3 to go! 50th place in 41.12 in 43rd place was an other impressive result with Jonny Kelly, consistent as ever in 75th while Niamh Kellett took her first category win of the season in 89th place – and well done to Janine Murray who turned out again after her gruelling but record breaking run last week on Donard.
BARRY vs BARRIE
Some of you may remember Barry Milligan, a former junior member of the Club who completed his first ever marathon in Newry on Sunday in 4 hours 11 minutes and 28 seconds in his own words “nice to be running in the East Down colours for the first time in almost 30 years”
Welcome back Barry and Well Done.
I noticed that our Linda Cunningham also completed the marathon on Sunday and Barrie Atkinson picked up a handy 3rd place behind Newcastle’s David O’ Flaherty and Dermot Mathers in the 10K, run in conjunction with the marathon. There’s no keeping these people down.
COMING EVENTS
ULSTER BANK Castlewellan Branch are organising a ‘Lap around the lake’ and ‘Tea at the Castle’ on Saturday 3 June to raise funds for Cash for Kids, the banks nominated charity, as part of their annual ‘One Week In June’ campaign.
The ‘Lap around the Lake’ will take place at Castlewellan Forest Park on Saturday 3 June and everyone wishing to partake is encouraged to meet at the lakeside for 10.30am for an 11am start.
At the same time ‘Tea at the Castle’ will be provided inside the breath-taking Castlewellan Castle where you can relax and unwind with a cup of tea and some locally baked buns.
Entry into the Park to complete the lap is only £10 for adults, £5 for children aged between 11-17. Entry into the ‘Tea at the Castle’ is £5, with all proceeds going directly to Cash for Kids. All ticket holders will also be entered into our prize draw.
COMBER 10K – EAT YOUR HEART OUT!
If ever an event deserved the support of all runners in the district, specially East Down’s, it’s the Ballydrain Harriers promoted 10K which takes place this year on Friday 16 June at 7.30pm from Comber Leisure Centre. Online entry is open at www.athleticsni.org and with T-shirts for the first 500 only and entries filling up fast you should get yours in now. An added incentive is – and take my word for this – the spread afterwards is a sight to behold. So you have been alerted.
The Dromara Village Festival 5K takes place on Wednesday 14 June – another one deserving of your support The race begins at 7.30pm.
AND FINALLY TEAM UP FOR KILLYLEAGH
This year’s Killyleagh 5 Mile race is on Friday 23rd June and will feature a Junior Team race, run separately, around the village streets. Schools and Clubs are invited to enter teams of 4 which can be across the 3 age groups Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 and will have different distances for each.. If any school/club wants to enter a team but hasn’t sufficient at any one level to enable them to enter, then teams comprising runners from the other categories will count, provided there are at least 4 finishers. The finishing position of the individual runner in his category will determine his score for team purposes.
Joe Quinn
29 May 2017