LOUGHINISLAND 5.05
Last year I wrote, not entirely in jest, that consideration was being given to running the Loughinisland race the opposite way round next year, but returning via the Loughside road to cut out the climb through the village. So “next year” arrived on Wednesday and of
course it was only as I struggled up the hill out of Annadorn that I remembered about it. Too late then as 4 miles into the race I wasn’t going to turn back just to enjoy a few downhills – but next “Next” Year!! And can someone stop the time flying round so quickly please?
Anyway, record numbers turned out for this year’s races, oblivious as I was about any changes in the route, with 76 in the Fun Run and 89 in the main 5.05 miles race.
Of these numbers 32 East Down runners took part in the main race with another 11 in the Fun Run. So it was almost inevitable that the Club would supply a few prizewinners.
MEN’S RACE
The Men’s race was won by Brendan Guiney from Beechmount Harriers from the ever improving Jack O’Hare from Newcastle with Conor McMullan from Annadale in 3rd place. Ciaran Denvir was fourth overall and first East Down man to finish but was too young (Oh to be able to say that again!!) to claim any category prizes, the Over 35 award going to James Savage who was 6th overall and the Over 45 award to his Clubmate Martin Willcox who was 5th. Murlough’s Declan McCormick won the Over 55 category and the Male Junior prize went to Ronan McVeigh, Newcastle’s up and coming starlet, who was 13th overall in an eyecatching 31.56.
LADIES
The Ladies fared even better with Catherine O’Connor finishing in first place ahead of Club colleague Niamh Kellett with Newcastle’s Patricia McKibbin in 3rd place. Saintfield Striders Lisa Corry took the Over 35 prize while Co Antrim Harrier Christine Murray retained her Over 45 title. Aoife Cochrane was the first Female Junior to finish, clocking an impressive 37.23, to prove that perseverance really does pays off. A well deserved success this one and I have no doubt it will not be her last.
FUN RUN
In the Fun Run, the clear winner was East Down’s Matthew McGrattan with last year’s winner Kirsti Foster holding onto her crown just ahead of her sister Lucy. Good showings also from Adam and Lucy Morgan, Jack Carson and Mattthew and William Taylor.
ARDS HALF MARATHON
Only 3 East Down runners took part in the Ards half marathon race on Friday night, and they were splendidly led home by Joanne Foster 1.33, with Clare Carson 1.50. Kevin Kelly 1.55 relished the experience of his first at the distance but glad to get back to Mother Earth.
LINDA’S BIRTHDAY TREAT
Linda Cunningham’s birthday on Saturday saw her relaxing, as usual on such auspicious occasions, by running a marathon. Not just any old marathon but one entitled Man Vs. Horse! Linda didn’t actually see any horses but in what she described as more like a Woman Vs. Course race she ran 22 laps of a 1.2 mile loop which because of a hill in the middle of it she never really got into her stride. However another one clocked up in 5.51 before she made her way to Victoria Park to enjoy the 24 Hour Race. That has probably something to do with feeling empathy with fellow sufferers. Anyway hope you had a great day Linda. Keith Reilly also took part but due to work commitments had to leave before he was really even warmed up. Just a 15 mile evening stroll for him!
SPELGA SKYLINE MOUNTAIN RACE
On Saturday also the Spelga Skyline Mountain Race took place in the Mournes and saw Neil Andrews 2.46.42 battle it out for 3rd place with Gary Bailie 2.46.47, before finally succumbing by a mere 5 seconds to the experienced Mourne Runners man. This was undoubtedly the best result in Neil’s mountain running career to date and one which should inspire admiration and respect for his exploits. It will also serve as a massive boost to his confidence ahead of next season. Gavin Hynds and Davy Foster also competed, finishing in 3.41 and 3.46 in 30th and 36th places respectively.
ENERGIA IAU 24 HOURS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS COME TO BELFAST
It would be impossible when writing this week not to mention the major sporting event which took place just a few miles up the road in Victoria Park in East Belfast. The IAU World 24 Hour Championships were held on Saturday and Sunday past in Victoria Park and proved a massive success. The Women’s race saw a new World Record set by the current record holder Patrycja Bereznowska from Poland. She covered 160.532 miles in the 24 hours from Saturday midday, finishing just in time for Sunday lunch, a worthy winner indeed.
FIONA ACHIEVES CULT STATUS
Fiona Prue, Big Ivan’s wife, from Ballydrain Harriers achieved similar status to him when she finished joint second in the F45 category and joint 4th over all when she completed just under 109 miles in her first attempt at this kind of race.
BATTLE TO THE END
The Men’s race was a close run affair with the Japanese runner Yoshihika Ishikawa who ran 166.27 miles holding off the late challenge of Sweden’s Johan Steene, with a winning margin of just over 1K, (.66 of a mile) to spare AFTER 24 HOURS OF RUNNING!! Bear in mind that this equates to running non-stop at 6.92 miles an hour!! Sebastian Bialobrzeski from Poland took 3rd place, with 165 miles recorded.
TO THOSE WHO MAY BE DISAPPOINTED
Spare a thought too for those who like Robin Alexander from Ballymena Runners and Donald Smith from North Down who both ran 99.57 miles, a few strides short of the magic ton. Surely if they add up their deviations off course for toilet, food and rest breaks they did 100? I certainly think they deserve it.
AND BEST WISHES TO IRYNA
And to Iryna Kennedy, my good friend and Christmas Cracker partner, who was forced through illness to drop out after just 32 miles – “just 32” is still an ultra distance Iryna – -I send on behalf of all your hundreds of friends in the running fraternity best wishes for a speedy return to full health again.
Indeed I take my cap off(I don’t wear hats)to each and every one of the almost 400 men and women who took any part in this event. Massive respect is accorded to you all!
THE NEXT FEW WEEKS
On Friday night, 7th July the “local” race is in Greyabbey where both 5 and 10K distances are on offer and there is also a charity 5 and 10K option in Aghalee, outside Moira on the same night while nearer home the Shore 10K in Killough is on Tuesday 11th July at 7.30pm.
After that the action switches across Strangford Lough for the Portaferry Gala 10 Miles with 2 X 5 Miles Relay, beginning at 7.30pm on Tuesday 18 July. And to complete July, the RGU 10K and 2 x 5K Relay takes place on Wednesday 26th July beginning at 7.30pm from the Ardglass Rd with registration beforehand in the RGU Clubrooms. Entries for the Portaferry race is online at www.athleticsni.org and also on the night, while entries for the Shore and RGU 10Ks are on the night only.
Joe Quinn
3 July 2017