The NI and Ulster Cross Country Championships were held in the splendid setting of the Stormont Estate for the first time on Saturday but even this capital venue and the perfect weather conditions failed to win the support of the athletes with only 67 Men and 40 Women competing. Admittedly some of the elite runners were injured but these paltry fields are indicative of the malaise affecting cross country running at present. In fact had it not been for the participation of a sizeable number from the veterans fraternity the numbers would have been decidedly embarrassing for the organisers.
However the small turnout did not detract from some eyecatching performances at the front end of the races and some very competitive individual battles throughout the fields The Women's race was a head to head duel from the gun between Gladys Ganiel-O' Neill (Abbey), a former winner of Jimmy's Ten, and Teresa McGloin (Finn Valley) and it was only in the last lap that O' Neill's superior stamina told as she pulled clear to win in 20.59, eight seconds clear of McGloin with the fast finishing Breege Connolly (North Belfast Harriers) eleven seconds further back in 3rd. The only local to complete the race was Newcastle's Anne Sandford, taking some notable scalps to finish in 28th place. Where are all the others?
The winner of the Men's race was known, bar an injury, by the end of the first lap as St Malachy's Gary Murray romped into an ever increasing lead which he never looked like surrendering, eventually finishing 32 seconds ahead of the 2nd athlete. It was the battle for 2nd and 3rd which really raised the temperature and brought out the cheers of supporters and neutrals alike all around the course. Omagh's Stephen Duncan, at 38 showing he has lost none of his speed and determination, stuck to the shoulder of Annadale's Eddie McGinley closer than Long John Silver's parrot, for lap after lap, with neither man flinching or easing their frantic pace. The wily Duncan looked to have been bettered as they approached the final 400 metres but with an amazing surge of pace Duncan fairly cantered away to claim the Silver with McGinley a creditable 3rd. In the last few hundred metres too, Paralympic Gold Medallist Michael McKillop finished like an express train to overhaul City of Derry Spartans' long time 4th placed Gregory Roberts and clinch the Team Gold for St Malachy's.
Only 2 locals competed, Newcastle's Declan McElroy who had what he described as "one to forget" but at least he was there, and East Down's Liam Keenan, who fought out a race long battle with Willowfield's tough as nails Robert Wilson. After seeming to have been subdued several times in the course of the 6 laps, Keenan refused to be beaten and clawed his way back to parity on the last lap, before unleashing his charge for the line at the top of the hill, a tactic to which Wilson had no answer. All in all it was an excellent day for spectating, as I did under the guise of marshalling, but it was disappointing to have such large gaps between runners.
Almost as many turn out on Sunday mornings for the East Down club's Long Run and while the competitive element is set aside as the troubles of the world are solved, there is nevertheless the challenge of grinding out the miles as individual goals are pursued. It has been speculated that if the recent "negotiators" at Hillsborough Castle had taken to the roads to discuss the policing and justice issues, agreement would have been reached inside 10 miles – I know we did – and left the way clear for the resolution of minor problems in Afghanistan, Iraq, Haiti and the world financial crisis, which took us another 10 miles. Several members are targetting the Belfast Marathon while others are heading for Ultra fun (40 miles) in Connemara in April. Brian Hamilton is using Connemara as a warm up for the Comrades Marathon (56 miles) in South Africa in late May while Ruth Francis ran the Seville marathon on Sunday in 3.57 in preparation for the Two Oceans Ultra in April. Great run Ruth.
Meanwhile all energies are being directed towards next weekend's Rollercoaster races at Downpatrick Racecourse, generously sponsored by Toal Bookmakers, which kick off with the Girls Primary School race at 12.30pm and finish with the Seniors 5K race at 2.00pm. A big turnout is expected and participants are reminded that 1. a horse is not required, 2. the races are on tarmac, it is not a cross country event and 3. entries will be taken on the day from 11.00am onwards.
With free soup and rolls for all participants and medals for all Primary School runners a great day is in prospect – and of course Jimmy's Ten is fast approaching on 14th March. It is intended that online entries for this year's race will be available and a limit on numbers may have to be imposed. The popular Free Draw for a £700 holiday voucher open to all participants is again a feature with a local charity to benefit from the proceeds, thanks to the generosity of main sponsors M.B. McGrady, Chartered Accountants.
Details of the online entry procedure using www.niathletics.org and the nominated charity will be announced in next weeks papers, meantime forms are available on www.spanglefish.com/eastdownac or in Down Leisure Centre or by phone from Joe Quinn on 07933214894 or email joemarathon50@btinternet.com .
Joe Quinn
14 February 2010
