BANGOR CLASSIC 10K
Last year I wrote that only one East Down runner took part in the annual Bangor 10K and that conditions were atrocious. Fast forward to Saturday past when the East Down entry numbered 4, and conditions were sunny and dry, enabling runners and spectators alike to enjoy what, if forecasts are to be believed, was the last of the Summer days. In truth, while there were a large number of running events taking place at the weekend very few East Down runners took part in them. It would appear that this was a recovery weekend, as runners who had been extremely busy in recent weeks took a breather, at least from the
competitive end of the business, though I know that most of them were continuing to clock up the miles in pursuit of peaking in time for the Dublin Marathon on 29 October.
KENYAN DOMINATES
The race was won in convincing style by the Kenyan Gideon Kipsang, who last weekend won the Belfast Half Marathon and indeed on Sunday after his heroics of Saturday, he further demonstrated his versatility and range of his abilities by comfortably winning the Foyle Valley AC organised Marty’s Run over 5K in 15.05.
It was great to see Brendan Teer cross the finish line in 34.33 in 14th place and just ahead of first lady Laura Graham, who ran so superbly in the Berlin Marathon last weekend, leaving herself on the verge of Commonwealth Games selection.
Dee Murray, who rarely takes a break, maintained his good form with another strong run to take 49th place in 38.26 and Liam Keenan, in one of his rare appearances, could be justifiably pleased with his time of 41.52, and similarly Gareth Amos, who ran in spite of being under the weather, clocking 54.32, was philosophical that next year would be better when daughter Lara would be fit to accompany him.
JUNIOR CLUB PRESENTATION
On Thursday night the Club honoured its junior members for their successful year on road, cross country and on the track with a presentation of trophies in the following categories
PRIMARY AWARDS
Female Athlete of the Year: Lauren Madine, Male Athlete of the Year: Callum Kent, Female Endeavour Award: Lucy Foster, Male Endavour Award: Oliver Robinson.
POST PRIMARY AWARDS:
Female Athlete of the Year: Kirsti Foster, Male Athlete of the Year: Matthew McGrattan, Female Endeavour Award: Aoife Cochrane & Aoife Burke, Male Endeavour Award: Ben Carson & Declan Hampton, Most Improved Female: Keira Proctor-Amos, Most Improved Male: Adam Morgan. Special Congratulations to Lauren Madine, Emily Burns, Kirsti Foster, Lucy Foster , Anna Gardiner, Laura Gardiner and Matthew McGrattan all of whom represented the Club at All- Ireland level.
KATHLEEN SMALL – RIP
It is with regret that I report the death of club member Gary Small’s mother, Kathleen whose funeral took place last week. The Club expresses its condolences to Gary, his father Bernard and his brothers and sisters and wishes to assure them of their continuing remembrance in thoughts and prayers at this very sad time.
NEXT WEEK
East Down AC will be in Victoria Park next Saturday for the NI Relay Championships and other members will be at the Coaching Conference at Jordanstown. The following weekend sees the start of the Cross Country season with the Comber Cup at the Billy Neill Playing Fields, Dundonald and a big turnout is expected. Also on the same day. in an unfortunate clash of dates, the popular Gr8 Dundrum race organised by Murlough AC takes place in the shadow of the Mournes.
And to complete the trio of local events, the Red High 10K and Relay gets under way at 12.00 noon on Saturday 21 October.
GOODBYE GRIDDLE, HELLO ??
It is with considerable regret that I have been asked to announce that the increasingly popular Griddle 10K scheduled for 3 December will not take place this year. However, watch out for details of another race to be held in the Downpatrick area on that date.
Joe Quinn
2 October 2017