A busy week for runners of all ages in the East Down Club started with Declan Teague's impressive 11th place in the Drumlough 5 Mile Race on Wednesday in a personal best 32.17 and continued on Thursday night at Mary Peters Track when the juniors were in action in the Edwards & Co. Super 5 series.  Pride of place from that meet must go to newcomer Matthew Carrick who claimed 3 medals on the night, placing 3rd in the Long Jump and 100 metres and 2nd in the 1200 metres, events in which Ross and Dean McCrickard also took part. Eimear Connor took the Club's only Gold medal of the night, a magnificent sprint in the 100 metres, an event in which Rebecca Martin was 4th, before she claimed the Silver medal in the Long Jump.  Caoimhe Grace O'Donnell took 3rd place Bronze medal in the 1200 metres with Emily Jo McGrattan 5th and Aoife Cochrane 6th, while Nicole Selfe continued her good form in the field events with 3rd place in the Shot.  All in all a very successful and enjoyable night.

The Slieve Donard Race, normally held on Friday night, was moved to Saturday this year and while I know that Liam Keenan and Anna McCoy took part – they were photographed descending the Black Stairs, I have no indication at the time of writing of how or where either finished. Of course their participation in the Newcastle event meant they would be unable to take on the tough little race that is the Loughinisland 5 around the same time on Saturday but 11 others from East Down did in very hot and difficult conditions. It was however, disappointing to all that last year's low turnout was repeated.

It was former East Down AC junior, Stephen Price, who led from the gun to claim the top prize from the returning Nelson Cahoon North Belfast, and the ever improving Philip Vint, in 3rd in 31.23 a just reward for some intensive training.  Great to see Steven back running again as he was one of the Club's top junior runners during the late Jimmy Murray era and at a time when his father Tom was dominating the road racing scene - perhaps he too will make a comeback soon?

Despite seeming to pull a calf muscle Declan Teague was 33 seconds faster than last year in 10th place just behind Neil McCartan and Mark McDowell with Stephen McCartan and James Magennis next.

The Women's race was won by Michelle Dorans from Donna McCusker and Helen Murray and congratulations go to Oonagh Breteche and Donna Brown and the newcomers from Murlough AC who completed a very difficult route. Keep plugging away ladies.


On Sunday East Down's Danny Skeffington claimed to titles at the Northern Ireland masters Track and Field championships, winning the Over 45 categories in the 800 and 1500 metres. Congratulations to him.
As to the historic significance of the race? Well it became the first and only contest of its kind in this country to be started by the sound of the vuvuzela, if you discount the Fun Run which started some 15 minutes beforehand. It's doubtful if this form of “starting gun” will become prevalent over here however, as it takes a special type of lips to blow it and they are not supplied.

Next event in the Tour of the County Down series is the Greyabbey 10K and 5K which takes place on Friday 9th July with the Portaferry 10 and 2 x 5 Relay on 20th July.
 


Joe Quinn
27 June 2010