Catherine O’Connor was the only senior runner to compete at Moira on Saturday taking an excellent 4th place overall, similarly to last year, in a race won by 2013 Griddle winner Heather Foley.
JUNIORS BACK IN ACTION
East Down’s juniors got back to competitive action after the Christmas break with some good performances. Mackenzie Murray took a creditable 8th place in the Boys Primary School race, with Edie Carroll claiming 3rd prize in the Girls Years 9 &10 category, while in the Boys equivalent, Johnny Erskine made a welcome return to action with big sister Ellen also on the comeback trail in the Under 17 race a race in which Aoife Cochrane also competed, looking strong and composed. James Smyth ran very well in the senior Boys race too, finishing 6th , while the ever enthusiastic Martin Burke displayed his usual commendable doggedness to complete the course strongly.
ROLLERCOASTER RACES
Meanwhile preparations are under way for the next local event, the Rollercoaster races on Saturday7 February around the perimeter road at Downpatrick racecourse.
There will be separate races for P3 Boys and Girls commencing at 12.00 noon, as well as P4 and 5. If necessary, due to safety concerns, the P6/ 7 category will be divided into separate races with school teams competitions for the both Boys and Girls over a 1,000 metres distance. Under 13 Boys and Girls will compete over 1.5K and Under 15 s over a testing 2.5K.
JIMMY’S TEN
Unbelievably it’s nearly Jimmy’s Ten time again and online entry is already available at www.athleticsni.org and with a limited number of places available runners are asked to get their entries in as soon as possible. Further details to follow next week.
Joe Quinn
12 January 2015