SUMMER STAR TRACK
Down High School playing fields was the venue for a very successful Summer Startrack programme last Monday and Tuesday. The Athletics NI flagship grassroots presentation gives children aged 8 – 14 years real athletics experience to help develop skills in all athletics disciplines including sprints, jumps, throws and relays. The East Down AC hosted sessions were supervised by ANI Everybody Active coach Dean Adams and was very well attended, with up to 18 children and several of East Down’s assistant coaches attending both days to gain invaluable experience. Our thanks to all who helped and to Down High School for the use of its excellent facilities.
PORTAFERRY 10 MILE AND 2 X 5 MILE RELAY
Another beautiful night in Portaferry saw almost 300 athletes descend on the village to take part in the hugely popular Gala 10 Mile Road Race. Although one or two runners “complained” that it was too warm for running, conditions were well nigh perfect by the time the race got under way on the dot of 7.30 pm.
The race was won in relatively comfortable fashion by North Belfast’s Ed Cooke in 56.39 with the really competitive action going on behind him where Willowfield’s Neil Weir, Pace Running Club’s Aaron Woodman and Newry City Runners Don Travers fought out a race long duel in the setting sun before Weir 57.19 gained the upper hand in the last mile to take 2nd place by 3 seconds, he too was runner-up last year. from Woodman in 3rd , with Travers just 13 seconds further back in 4th place, but good enough to take first Over 40 prize.
First lady home was North Down’s Jodi Smith 67.07 with Newcastle’s Sinead Murtagh taking 2nd for the second year in a row, even though her time of 67.38 was a full 40 seconds faster than last year! Perhaps 2017 will be her year? Her clubmate Mari Troeng finished just 20 seconds behind Sinead to claim the third podium position.
EAST DOWN RUNNERS
First of the East Down men to appear was Barrie Atkinson 6th overall in an excellent 60.50, a real morale booster for him as his training has been curtailed recently because of a recurring injury. Next to appear was Declan Teague 66.26, looking lean and mean on his return to civilisation from the South Atlantic or Southern Ocean as it is now sometimes called. Mick McCreesh and Raymond Milligan fought out a personal battle all the way, beginning when they boarded the ferry in Strangford and only ending when Mick succeeded in getting his foot across the line one second in front, though both are credited with the same chip time 71.26. Great running lads! David Smith and Gavin Hynds were only separated by 14 seconds and 3 places at the line while James Magennis and Gareth Kelly were only 6 places apart. It was good to see Mark Johnston and Gary Cull back in action again too and the evergreen Robert Miskelly was delighted to pick up the trophy for the oldest finisher, in a splendid time of 1 hour 50 minutes and 30 seconds.
WHAT ABOUT THE LADIES?
Niamh Kellett ran a superb race to cross the line as first East Down woman, recording a new pb 69.06 in the process, with Lisa Laird coming home in 75.13, well inside he top 100 finishers. Oonagh Breteche finished in 200th overall and was happy with her time of 94.15. Catherine Gilchrist 97.47 also displayed good pace judgement of pace, and could be well satisfied with her performance in her first attempt at the distance. Linda Cunningham too seemed to cruise round in what for her was a comparative “sprint” distance.
IS SOMEONE HAVING TROUBLE WITH THEIR N0. 2’s??
Is there something in the air in Portaferry which makes the 2 Mile marker seem particularly offensive or attractive? I pose this question because on Tuesday night, for the 4th time in the past 5 years, the sign has gone missing. To the puzzlement of those collecting the signage afterwards the Number 2 has disappeared and not only that but this year, less than 2 hours after it was set out, the sign had vanished! Does someone have a fetish for number 2s? Are these black figures on a fluorescent yellow background regarded as collectors items, with someone out there sitting on a stash of them? Coincidentally, something similar happened some years ago in Darragh Cross when not one but two 2s disappeared on the same day! Can anyone throw any light on the mystery? All I can do now is appeal to whoever is responsible to “Give up your Number 2s”, you’ll feel much better for doing so and leaving the whole thing behind you!
BALLYKINLAR 10K (the BK10K)
In order to avoid the wrath of the weather god (Frank Mitchell??) James Magennis decided to keep his Ballykinlar 10K and 5K charity race this year very much low key – basically he didn’t tell anyone about it -and was rewarded with an excellent evening and a record entry!! Arranging it for the night after the Portaferry race was also part of his strategy to avoid the invasion of Ballykinlar. However, news leaked out and several of the Portaferry stalwarts turned up again and were suitably rewarded, Declan Teague, acclimatising quickly, winning the 10K from clubmates Andrew Telford and Mick McCreesh with Murlough’s Anne McCormick winning the Ladies title. In the 5K East Down’s Daniel Atkinson continued his recent good form and came home a long way ahead of his nearest rivals. Winning lady in the 5K was Ciara Tewion. Between both races a total of 48 runners took part and the charity to benefit was the Kevin Bell Repatriation Fund.
TULLAMORE AGAIN!
Last week I reported on Laura Gardiner’s bronze medal performance in the 800 metres All Ireland Under 19 championships in Tullamore. This week she went one place better winning a Silver medal in the 400 metres final. Also in action were Matthew McGrattan who ran superbly in the 400 metres and only missed out on a final place by 0.04 seconds in what was a high quality and hotly contested event and Hannah Gilliland who took on Ireland’s best in the Under 15 girls 1500 metres and was far from disgraced. Well done to all the junior athletes concerned and their parents who sacrifice their time to transport, look after and be there for their children. Time excellently spent.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Tonight Wednesday 27th the popular RGU 10K and two person relay race beginning at 7.30pm.
Other upcoming East Down AC promoted events are :-
The Darragh Cross 10K and Fun Run on Sunday 14 August at 12.30pm. .
The Strangford Festival 10K on Friday 26th at 7.00pm
The new Killyleagh Half Marathon on Saturday 27th at 10.30am. Note change of start time.
Online entry for all three at www.athleticsni.org and on the day.
GERRY DUFFY VISIT
Everyone is invited to the East Down Clubrooms on Thursday 28th July at 7.00pm for an Evening With Gerry Duffy and you’re asked to let me know 07933214894 if you’re going.
Joe Quinn
25 July 2016