MOURNE MOUNTAIN ULTRA MARATHONS
I wondered why Michael Cultra’s name was missing from the top 50 finishers in Thursday nights Hill and Dale race, and only discovered the reason on Saturday afternoon when I heard that he had been “resting” for his assault on the Mourne Way Ultra Marathon. By that time of course he and his fellow conspirators, Simon McGrattan, Oonagh Brétéché and Linda Cunningham had already been on the go for around 7 hours. All of the distances on offer in the ABO WIND Mourne Way programme are tough, from the 5K to the 85K Ultra distance, but in terms of the sheer physical demands the latter has few rivals anywhere. So of course while most of us were psyching ourselves up for participation in one or other of the shorter events by putting our feet up and resting for at least half a week, Linda and Simon ran the Walled City Marathon in Derry the previous weekend! Needless to say this activity comes with the warning “Don’t try this at home”.
But there’s nothing but admiration from this quarter for the Ultra Quartet – would make a good name for a singing group though having heard them in full voice they should stick to running – who were still able to send text messages immediately after their 15 hour stroll in the park.
HALF MARATHONS
This day was however significant in another aspect in that it marked the return of Bernice McCann to competitive. After over a year out through illness this truly remarkable and inspirational lady was back to competitive running, of course no easy break yourself in gently warm up for Bernice, straight in at the deep end! And what a sight it was to see her finish hand in hand with the ever supportive Eithne McGrattan, who is the good looking half of the McGrattan duo, Simon and Eithne, who have contributed so much to motivating people to go out running and achieving their goals, in the past 3 years. I don’t know what it was that kept Bernice going over the past tough, dark months but whatever it was for her it was thinking of her of that kept me going to the finish line on Saturday just as she has inspired me into tackling other shorter events over the past 12 months Welcome Back Bernice!!
Helen Vint 2.28 also did the half and was joined by first timers Mags Flynn and Stephen McCartan – another who has had more than his share of injuries in the past year and who it is great to see back in action again.
FULL MARATHONS
Mickey Cunningham 5.12 and Liz O’Hagan 5.33 all moved up from the half distance last year to tackle the Full Irish this and together with Charlie Ataliotis 5.12 a superb performance compared with his 6.35 last year, and debutante Cathy Burke 5.33, they certainly were not intimidated by either distance or terrain.
Phillip Vint was first of the East Down men home, turning in a strong performance to take 11th place in 4.02. with Raymond Milligan finishing with plenty in hand in 4.17 to earn 22nd place.
10K RACE
Recently re-joined member Stephen Cassidy undertook the 10K option and was amazed and delighted to set a new PB of 48.09 for the distance – believe me these are not the underfoot conditions to set PBs on so whatever he’s been doing in the meantime it has certainly paid off. Well done to him
NI and ULSTER AGE GROUP CHAMPIONSHIPS
On Sunday James Smyth, Owen Edwards, Edie and Ella Carroll and Laura Green all competed in800 metres in the Age Group Championships at Mary Peters Track and will be hoping for better performances in their stronger 1500 metres races this coming weekend in Antrim.
DON BRADLEY RIP
It is with great sadness that we heard of the untimely passing of Club Coach Russell Bradley’s youngest brother Don, after a short illness. It is noteworthy that everyone I spoke to was at pains to say what a gentlemanly, helpful and courteous man he was who never had a bad word to say of anyone. I think if any of us could leave that as our legacy we would indeed be happy. Good people like him are badly missed. Our sincere condolences got to Russell, his brothers and sister and the entire family circle at this very sad time.
Joe Quinn
8 June 2015