LISBURN HALF
The Lisburn Half Marathon and 10K races, to my enduring surprise, continue to attract huge numbers of runners, this year over 3000 between both events, though perhaps affected because it carried the NI Half Marathon Championship status. Nevertheless it
gives the impression of being one step away from disorganised chaos and two from total disaster. And yet it never has failed to produce complimentary comments and draws runners back year after year. Perhaps they’re all just waiting for the night when it all does go wrong?
Anyway this year’s races took place on Wednesday night and there was substantial interest from EDAC runners over both distances. In the Half Marathon race Martin Willcox was best placed EDAC runner coming home in 25th place in a time of 1.22. 51, followed by Gareth Kelly 1.39.00, Michael McCreesh 1.39.17 and David Smith 1.39.12. The Ladies squad (all two of them) Catherine Gilchrist 2.08 and Linda Cunningham 2.26 successfully navigated the route and were in good shape to appear again on Friday and Saturday respectively.
THE 10K
The shorter distance attracted slightly more interest from East Down and Catherine O’Connor was the first to finish just ahead of Conor Rice and Niamh Kellett, Dee Murray acting as pacer for a friend clocked 47.05 and the Findlay family, comprising John 49.34, Wendy 50.46 and Connor 49.32 had an enjoyable night out. Tracy McCaughey fresh from her 10k debut at Comber turned out for another go at this distance.
H & D ROUND 11 and FINAL PLACES
Friday night saw the end of the Hill and Dale 2017 Series and after 11 weeks it must cause withdrawal symptoms to those who completed every round. Top of that list is our own Janine Murray, who along with Gavin Hynds, were two of only 20 who achieved that target. Janine was also a very creditable 31st Female overall. Gavin was 15th in the Male Over 35 category and 53rd overall.
Niamh Kellett and Joanne Foster could also be pleased with their efforts placing 2nd and 3rd respectively in the Female Over 35 category and 7th and 15th overall respectively. Neil Andrews took an impressive 10th place in the Men’s Open and 20th overall., while Jonny Kelly was 14tth Over 40 Male and 83rd overall
THE KILLYLEAGH 5
The Killyleagh Five Mile Race returned to its traditional Friday night slot last week, though as last year, in June and not August. A total of 46 runners took part this year, a vast improvement on the 2016 figure, though there are other considerations which still make the organisers question whether it remains a viable proposition for the future.
The race itself was settled inside the first mile as East Down’s Neil McCartan, took a strong grip of proceedings from the off and set a new record of 26.37 as he came home untroubled almost 90 seconds clear of second placed Glen Taylor of Ballydrain and Barrie Atkinson East Down in 3rd.
Ciaran Denvir and Dee Murray were 5th and 6th before Catherine O’Connor 31.46 took the Ladies first prize ahead of Jenny McCready Invictus and Amanda Jackson Ballydrain.
Seamus Savage also impressed with a sub 40 time in his first attempt at the distance and Catherine Gilchrist deserves mention for turning out after completing the Half Marathon just 2 nights earlier.
JUNIOR TEAM COMPETITION
A disappointingly low, even derisory, total of just 10 Boys and Girls took part in the junior team competition, which was aimed at children across 3 Age Groups and resulted in just one race instead of the planned for three. Only one team of 4 began the race but unfortunately one of their number, young Alex Robinson took a bad fall and was unable to finish resulting in there being no team award at all. However, the good news is that Alex is OK, no broken bones, just cuts and bruises and hurt pride. Meantime the other young enthusiasts battled it out on the hilly course through the town with Mackenzie Murray (EDAC) winning the race in style. The first girl home was Erin Cross of Willowfield Harriers.
JUNIORS BUSY WEEK
The Juniors were busy this week in several events with some of them racing more than once. Where they get the energy from I am not sure! A team of U13 Girls ( Lauren Madine, Kirsti Foster, Lucy Foster and Anna Gardiner) went to Mary Peters Track on Thursday to take part as a 4x100m relay team. Given that they have had very little practice of this event including the all important slick baton change, they did very well coming 5th and in the mix. Lauren Madine and Lucy Foster were back in action at the same venue 2 days later but this time as individuals in the Primary 1000m as part of the Irish Miler’s Meet. Lauren ran superbly to breast the line in first place adding another medal to the collection. Lucy was in 7th position.
MATTHEW TAKES SILVER
Also on the track on Saturday was Matthew McGrattan but in a different location. He had been selected to represent both his school (St Patrick’s College) and the province of Ulster in the Inter Provincial Games in Santry. He was 6th in the 400m and the team ran a great race in the 4x400m relay to get a sliver medal. That is one to be proud of!
Better late than never
Declan Hampton turned up to race in the Killyleagh junior event having been misinformed of the start time. As the race had taken place he was thwarted in his desire to compete but gamely sought another event to take part in. The picture below shows that he enjoyed the alternative to the hilt! Along with Nicole Clarke he took part in a Colour Run in Newry.
TWIN PEAKS
On Saturday, Marguerite Robinson, showing no reaction from the injuries sustained by her son Alex in Killyleagh on Friday night, which prevented her participation in the 5 Mile race there, took on the Twin Peaks Half Marathon, so called because it involves climbing 2800 feet to the summits of Gullion and Camlough. Accompanied by Linda Cunningham, fresh from the Lisburn Half on Wednesday, and with Jackie Moore and Paula McKibbin from Murlough, apparently the craic was 90 and the miles flew by. All finished in 3.33, just an hour behind their drivers Mickey Cunningham and Gordon Moore. This event is a charity race for the Gateway Club and with medals allegedly the size of dinner plates, who wouldn’t go back again next year?
EAST ANTRIM MARATHON SERIES (EAMS)
Phillip Vint used his rest day to complete marathon number 39 in the appropriately named EAMS School’s Out Marathon on Sunday on what he described as a “ brutal course – hills” yet finished in 3.22 to take 3rd place. Oonagh Brétéché also completed the marathon in 4.50. Well done to both.