DIRTY WORK

It is often said when we want to attribute supernatural powers on someone that they could walk on water.  Well on Saturday in saturated Lurgan Park ( I’ve never seen dry Lurgan) several hundred men and women attempted an even more difficult task, namely staying upright on liquid mud – while running!  I’m happy to report that virtually every one of the near 400 participants and all of the East Down contingent managed to do so in the consistently worst cross country conditions I have ever seen.   It was a 2K circuit which  had at least 6 inches of liquid mud throughout its entirety but this was the best of the going. In other  places the course was under water and in some the mud was over a foot deep.  So congratulations not only to Newcastle AC for a magnificent performance in regaining the Junior team trophy after a lapse of 27 years, but to every athlete who took part. Gareth Kelly was the only East Down man to take part in the Junior race, his first incursion into the world of cross country, and what a baptism he chose.  Continue reading →