This Weeks News 10/7/17

FATHER and SON IN CONTENTION AT 2 VENUES

The long trip to Greyabbey on Friday night proved worthwhile for Dee Murray when he completed the 2 lap course in 37.52 to take a deserved 3rd place. His son Mackenzie, ran well in the 5K Fun Run and recorded 20.23. Dee then staked a claim for the title of The Third Man when he filled a similar position in the Great Rossa 5K on Sunday in 18.11, a race in which Mackenzie came an excellent 14th overall in 21.16.

 HIGH TEC SERVICES?

At about the time Dee was finishing his 10K on Friday, I was just embarking on lap 2, warming to my role as unofficial TEC, that’s Tail End Charlie to the uninitiated, and though I tried my best, encouraged all the way by my daughter Karen, I finished 12 places ahead of the last finisher, so I’ll have to try a bit harder next time to finish last to ensure that I deserve to be called a proper TEC.

LAUREN and MATTHEW

On Saturday Lauren Madine travelled to Tullamore for the All Ireland Age Group Championships. She ran well in the Under 13 Girls 600 metres and finished 6th in a time of 1:43.83. On Sunday Matthew McGrattan ran very well in the Under 18 Boys 400 metres clocking 54.00 in a very fast heat and after entering the home straight in 2nd place eventually finished 6th. He could take considerable pleasure in that he gave it his best shot, led from the front and his time was a full second faster than last year.

Well Done to both these splendid young ambassadors for our Club 

AMONG THE WICKLOW HILLS

On Sunday Linda Cunningham took part in the Wicklow Hospice Foundation 4 Day Festival of Running but “only did the Back to Back” bit in the Avondale Forest.   That amounts to 52 miles!! Is there no end to this young woman’s inspirational achievements, all carried out in almost anonymous fashion, with a minimum of fuss.

Certainly she deserves much wider recognition. 

PORTAFERRY GALA 50TH ANNIVERSARY 10 MILE RACE

Next Tuesday brings the annual Portaferry Gala Festival Ten Miles Road Race incorporating a 2 x 5 Miles Relay race. This is the 50th anniversary of the popular Gala Festival and a huge crowd is expected to be there to celebrate. Don’t miss out on the festivities and the famous souvenir mugs, available for the first 300 entrants. Entry is currently open at www.athleticsni.org and entries will also be taken on the nigh.   Race starts at 7.30pm so if you’re taking the ferry over you need to get the 7.00pm crossing at the latest.

Joe Quinn

11 July 2017