18 October 2008
Comber Cup Races
East Down Athletic Club
The once hotly contested Comber Cup races took place on Saturday at the Billy Neill Sports Complex and almost in sympathy with what is now a shadow of its former popularity the bright, warm sunshine of the morning gave way to squally showers turning the already soft underfoot conditions action into a muscle sapping quagmire. Not so long ago this event attracted hundreds of competitors and although it included the 5 mile selection trial for the Veterans teams for the British Cross Country championships in Swansea only around 70 took part with just a dozen going to post in the Open race.
East Down had 2 runners staking claims for their places in the team and both ran well in the trying conditions. Liam Keenan continued his recent good form in the Over 45 category, clocking 34.07 for the 5 mile distance while Mark Quinn posted 34.17 in the ultra competitive Over 35 category and took 5th place, giving himself an outside chance of a trip to Wales.
The Open race over 4 miles saw James O’Hare return to the competitive fray in his first outing since the removal of his appendix in July. He was up with the leaders for 2 laps before succumbing to his lack of race fitness but finished strongly to claim 6th place - a result which augurs well for the Age Group Championships in a few weeks time. Stevie Shannon also took on the elements in the Open race and he maintained the dominance he displayed over Ashley Crawford who he beat in August in Ardglass.
Earlier Joanne Mills won the Girls Under 18 race to underline her wellbeing ahead of next weekend’s Age group Championships in Jordanstown.
Perhaps most significantly the day saw the first outing of the new Club vests and the verdict was that they survived the conditions well.
Next weekend, while the younger members head for UUJ and the Even Age Group races, some of the senior squad, seven in all, will be setting off for Dublin where the Marathon takes place on Monday 27th. All will be hoping to improve on last year’s times, though none are without the last minute aches and pains and mystery injuries which seem to afflict every runner as the long months of training ends and the race, all 26.2 miles of it, beckons from behind the Celtic Tiger. But the hard work has been done and the coming week should consist of easy loosening runs and non-stop carbo loading in preparation for the ultimate challenge - but don‘t forget if you eat like pigs you might run like one as well!. Good luck to all.
One of the number James Magennis is running this year for the Tuberous Sclerosis Association which includes Philip Schofield, Hannah Gordon, Nick Higham and Evelyn Glennie among its Patrons. Tuberous Sclerosis is a cruel disorder which can affect any newborn baby, causing tumours to occur in the brain, kidneys, heart, eyes lungs and major organs. Other symptoms may include epilepsy, autism, severe learning disability and challenging behaviour.
Although the condition is relatively rare James actually works with 2 people whose families are affected by it and he would like you to help him raise some money for this worthy cause. If you would like to sponsor him he can be contacted on 02844615979 or 07752320350 or pledges can be made also to Joe Quinn 44614235 or 07933214894 or by email joemarathon50@btinternet.com Please give generously.
Joe Quinn
19 October 2008
The once hotly contested Comber Cup races took place on Saturday at the Billy Neill Sports Complex and almost in sympathy with what is now a shadow of its former popularity the bright, warm sunshine of the morning gave way to squally showers turning the already soft underfoot conditions action into a muscle sapping quagmire. Not so long ago this event attracted hundreds of competitors and although it included the 5 mile selection trial for the Veterans teams for the British Cross Country championships in Swansea only around 70 took part with just a dozen going to post in the Open race.
East Down had 2 runners staking claims for their places in the team and both ran well in the trying conditions. Liam Keenan continued his recent good form in the Over 45 category, clocking 34.07 for the 5 mile distance while Mark Quinn posted 34.17 in the ultra competitive Over 35 category and took 5th place, giving himself an outside chance of a trip to Wales.
The Open race over 4 miles saw James O’Hare return to the competitive fray in his first outing since the removal of his appendix in July. He was up with the leaders for 2 laps before succumbing to his lack of race fitness but finished strongly to claim 6th place - a result which augurs well for the Age Group Championships in a few weeks time. Stevie Shannon also took on the elements in the Open race and he maintained the dominance he displayed over Ashley Crawford who he beat in August in Ardglass.
Earlier Joanne Mills won the Girls Under 18 race to underline her wellbeing ahead of next weekend’s Age group Championships in Jordanstown.
Perhaps most significantly the day saw the first outing of the new Club vests and the verdict was that they survived the conditions well.
Next weekend, while the younger members head for UUJ and the Even Age Group races, some of the senior squad, seven in all, will be setting off for Dublin where the Marathon takes place on Monday 27th. All will be hoping to improve on last year’s times, though none are without the last minute aches and pains and mystery injuries which seem to afflict every runner as the long months of training ends and the race, all 26.2 miles of it, beckons from behind the Celtic Tiger. But the hard work has been done and the coming week should consist of easy loosening runs and non-stop carbo loading in preparation for the ultimate challenge - but don‘t forget if you eat like pigs you might run like one as well!. Good luck to all.
One of the number James Magennis is running this year for the Tuberous Sclerosis Association which includes Philip Schofield, Hannah Gordon, Nick Higham and Evelyn Glennie among its Patrons. Tuberous Sclerosis is a cruel disorder which can affect any newborn baby, causing tumours to occur in the brain, kidneys, heart, eyes lungs and major organs. Other symptoms may include epilepsy, autism, severe learning disability and challenging behaviour.
Although the condition is relatively rare James actually works with 2 people whose families are affected by it and he would like you to help him raise some money for this worthy cause. If you would like to sponsor him he can be contacted on 02844615979 or 07752320350 or pledges can be made also to Joe Quinn 44614235 or 07933214894 or by email joemarathon50@btinternet.com Please give generously.
Joe Quinn
19 October 2008
