As there were no “local” events at the weekend it appeared initially that there might not be a lot to write about this week but with my re-connection to civilisation (I’ve got my internet connection back) it was a chance to look back over the past few weeks and try to update on what I had missed.
NI 5K ROAD RACING CHAMPION
I discovered that way back in early April Barrie Atkinson travelled to Derry for the NI 5K Road racing championships and claimed the title in the Over 35 category in a pb time of 15.57. Congratulations to him.
HILL AND DALE SERIES
Looking back over the first half of the 11 race series it is gratifying to see not only how many East Down runners are not only taking part but also doing very well. Dee Murray seems to have taken to the new environment like a duck to water and is almost inevitably the first East Down man home. Catherine O’Connor presently leads the Ladies Open category and is only ever bettered by NI Champion Diane Wilson. Brian Hamilton too leads in the Over 65 category while there are regular top 60 finishes from Phillip Vint and Gavin Oakes. Others who have tested their abilities on the rising ground include Paul Rogan, Stephen Heasley, Brian Wilson, Mark McDowell, Ciaran Denvir, Michael Cultra, William Edgar, Danny Flynn, Cheryl Denvir and even Simon McGrattan. All of which augurs well for next season’s Cross Country League.
WALLED CITY MARATHON
Thinking of marathons always brings Linda Cunningham’s name to mind and so it was no surprise to see her listed as a finisher in Sunday’s Walled City marathon. She was joined on her trip by Michael Cultra, both clocking 4.31, with Michael McKeown showing he is fully recovered from his London experience with 3.35 and Diarmuid Quail completing the quartet with a time of 4.21.
UPCOMING EVENTS
While there my not have been a lot of events in this area in recent weeks, the next few more than compensate for that .
LOUGHINISLAND 5.05
The Loughinisland 5.05 miles race on Wednesday 25 June at 7.40pm with the 3 Mile Fun Run at 7.30pm. The race will be held over the new route which was introduced last year and which proved popular. Entries taken on the day from 5.30pm As usual post race refreshments will be served in the GAC Club rooms.
BK10K
Then come the BK10K in Ballykinlar, on Sunday 29 June at 12.00 noon, an almost entirely off road race, which was exceptionally well received last year, taking in as it does a large part of the Dundrum Bay shoreline, starting and finishing at Ballykinlar GAA grounds.
GREYABBEY 5 AND 10K
A tempting trip across the Lough beckons for the incrasingly popular Greyabey races on Friday 4 July, just a week after the Ards Half Marathon on 27 June.
THE SHORE (KILLOUGH) 10K
The Shore 10K which will include a children’s Fun Run this year will be held on Friday 11th July at 7.30pm in Killough, as a prelude to the holiday fortnight. Stunning scenery and great hospitality are the order of the day in this lovely village.
CHANGES TO PORTAFERRY 10 MILES AND RGU 10K
And now for a couple of changes to the advertised programme. The Portaferry Ten Miles and 2 x 5 Mile Relay races will be on Tuesday 22nd July, not 15th as previously listed and the RGU 10K moves to 30 July as a result.
STEEPLECHASE IN DELAMONT
The Action Mental Health Steeplechase races, scheduled for 2nd August in Delamont has also been postponed, to Saturday 21 September, but the Kilmore Rec FC hosted cross community 5 Miles race steps in on Monday 4 August at 7.30pm, possibly over a new route, followed by the Darragh Cross 10K on Thursday 14 August.
STRANGFORD FESTIVAL 10K
Then it’s back to the coastal area again for a brand new 10K in Strangford on Friday 22nd at 7.30pm and topping off that lot is the Killyleagh 5 on Friday 29 August.
If that isn’t enough to keep everyone happy there are others on the fixture list, though a little further afield. But why not support your local events?
Joe Quinn
2 June 2014