BALLYNAHINCH LIONS 25th ANNIVERSARY 10K
East Down’s Brendan Teer followed up last week’s victory at Ballygalget with another resounding win in the 25th running of Ballynahinch Lions 10K on Saturday. Although slightly slower than his winning time last year he was still 54 seconds ahead of Willowfield’s evergreen Paul Rowan with fellow clubmate Barrie Atkinson in 3rd. With Martin Wilcox in 6th and James Savage in 8th four of the top eight pleaces went to East Down runners. A total of 13 runners from the County town club took part in the race with Catherine O’Connor leading the Ladies home in 3rd place as she continues an impressive series of results. With a total of over 150 runners this was a highly satisfactory turnout and was supplemented by very enjoyable post race refreshments in the Market House. For many this was the pre marathon warm up race as for most of the long distance entrants it’s rest and carbo loading between now and the May Day test of endurance round the streets of Belfast. So good luck to all the East Down runners taking part especially those who are attempting the classic distance for the first time and indeed to athletes from all local clubs.
In Saturday’s 5K Fun Run Laura Gardiner was first of the Girls to finish with Caolan Atkinson taking the Boys crown. Altogether 11 East Down Boys and Girls took part in the run and all performed very well.
HILL and DALE
Meanwhile several East Down runners are making their presence felt in the Hill and dale series with Catherine O’Connor Female Open and Brian Hamilton Male Over 65 both winning their categories in the first two events, while others like Phillip Vint, William Edgar and Ciaran denvir are dipping their toes in this unique series for the first time – and apparently enjoying the experience! Many more weeks still to go however and there will be many fluctuations in the fortunes of all the athletes who take on the challenge over the next two months.
DOWNPATRICK LIONS 3 LAKES CHALLENGE on 10 MAY
Just after the dust of this year’s Belfast Marathon has settled and the Giro Is heading for the North Antrim coast, the attention of all local runners will be focused on the 2nd running of this Charity event, organised in conjunction with East Down AC, with proceeds this year going to the Down Residential Project. With a choice of either a 7K Fun Run and a 14K race around the shores of Magheraleggan, Loughinisland and Ballydugan Lakes all tastes are catered for and post race refreshments courtesy of Lakeside Inn proprietors Margaret and Geoffrey Ferguson will be available. A big turnout is anticipated and while entries will be taken on the day in the idyllic Inn runners are encouraged to enter online at www.athleticsni.org to help speed up the registration process.
Any inquiries or for further information contact Joe Quinn on 07933214894.
Joe Quinn
27 April 2014