THE SHORE 10K
A beautiful Summer evening brought runners in droves to Killough on Tuesday night for 5th running of The Shore 10K. “A stunning course” summed up the comments of the record 232 finishers who later enjoyed the tea and sandwiches in the local Community hall. All the proceeds this year were going to the Downpatrick Public Initiative Prevent Suicide (PIPS) group and they wish to thank the participants for their generous donations, aside from the entry fees.
MALE WINNERS
While at the finish line there was only 11 seconds separating the first three men home, the winner Alan Johnston Murlough was in comfortable command from Annadale’s Conor McMullan with James Savage in third place, the first East Down runner home. 4th placed Rchard Coey Ballydrain harriers won the Male Over 40 category just ahead of Newcastle’s Brendan McQuaid, Male Over 35 winner and North Down’s Eamonn O’Reilly who took the Over 45 category prize. Brian Derby Dub Runners took the Over 50 prize with Norman Mawhinney the Over 55 winner.
LADIES STEAL THE SHOW
The Ladies winner, East Down’s Niamh Kellett was 15th overall and had triple reason to celebrate as her time of 39.28 was not only 1 minute and 14 seconds quicker than last year, but also marked her first ever time under 40 minutes AND a new PB! Well done, Niamh, you may be asking “Where did that come from?” but it’s simply down to your hard work in training.
Indeed Niamh was one of 16 runners who ducked under the 40 minute barrier, the last of those being East Down’s Conor Rice in what I believe was a new PB for him? and while the race was promoted as a fairly low key affair, this represents a high quality in depth field in today’s world of racing.
The second lady home was the very consistent and virtual ever present at all East Down’s events, Dromore AC’s Susan Smyth, whose time was 22 seconds faster than her 3rd placed run in 2016. And in 3rd place was another of East Down’s rising stars Deirdre Weatherall whose 41.49 also represented a pb for the distance.
LADIES CATEGORY WINNERS
Category prizes went to Hazel Smyth from Dumfries Running club, coincidentally Susan’s sister, Female Over 35, Jillian Redpath Dromore Over 40, Christine Murray Co. Antrim Harriers, Over 45, and local girl Suzanne Trainor, posting a highly respectable 52.11 in the Over 50’s. Irene Clements travelled all the way from Enniskillen with the remarkable Ciaran McCaffrey to take the Over 55’s award
HISTORIC FIRSTS FOR ERIC AND KATE
The Over 60 prize went to Lagan Valley’s Kate Montgomery and in a remarkable coincidence I am delighted to announce that her husband Eric won the Male Over 60 prize too. This is the first time in my involvement in the sport that a husband and wife team have won prizes in their respective and similar age categories in the same race on the same day. Get in touch with the GBR (Guinness Book of Records) Well Done to them!
NOT YET HIGH TEC
I slotted in near the back (I know my place) with the hope that I might become a proper TEC before the night was over. When I got to Rossglass the water stop was empty, the only water for miles was coming in with the tide so I just kept going and eventually, thanks to a lot of crowd support I made it to the finish line in over 65 minutes, totally dehydrated, but too many places in front of the last runner to even apply for honorary membership of the TEC club. That’s what the search for water can do to your ambition. Anyway Roll on Portaferry for the next attempt!!
SEA2SKY 10K
Linda Cunningham was the only East Down competitor to brave the wet and murky conditions during Friday night’s Sea2Sky 10K in Newcastle and finished it in just around the hour, while I was enjoying the warmth and comfort of the Glee Singers Concert a little further down the Main Street.
RGU 10K AND 2 X 5K RELAY ON 26 JULY
By the time you read this, and irrespective of whether you do or not, the Portaferry Gala Festival 50t Anniversary 10 Mile Race with 2 x 5 Mile Relay will have taken place on Tuesday night and next week’s headlines will already be forming in someone’s head. The following Wednesday night the RGU 10K and 2 x 5K Relay is scheduked for 7.30pm. All entries will be taken on the night in the Club Rooms on Old Course Rd and the £6 entry fee for a Registered Runner and a mere £7 for unregistered athlete, including refreshments afterwards, it represents the cheapest and best value for money race on the sporting calendar. Not only that but it’s actually £1 cheaper than it was in 2014!!
Joe Quinn
17 July 2017