A bright, sunny morning greeted the impressive field of over 120 runners who assembled in Saul for the 2nd Annual 10K road race organised by the local GAC club.  The fact that many were returning again for what is a challenging route is testimony to the hospitality shown last year and evidence that this event will become one of the top Winter races very soon.  An added attraction was the presence of the delightful Ciara Mageean, recently returned from Commonwealth Games heroics in Delhi and Irish Times/Irish Sports Council Sportswoman of the Month for October. We are indeed blessed to have this dedicated and highly articulate young lady in our midst.  While she is already planning her future on the world athletics stage she spoke encouragingly to the many young people and indeed the older ones too who gathered afterwards for refreshments and prizegiving. All were mightily impressed with her collection of medals which she happily passed round and tirelessly posed for photographs. So forget your I'm a Nonentity get Me Out of Here and X-Factor wannabes this is an ideal role model for young people and a great ambassador for her sport.  And she's from Portaferry in Co. Down!!

A fresh wind was blowing as the first runners set off, the 5K Fun Run sent on it's way by Ciara a little behind schedule, and the senior runners were glad to get their muscles into action soon afterwards. The race quickly developed into a battle between the trio of Richard Turkington, Stephen Price and Liam Venney who would eventually fill the first three places.  Armagh's Richard Turkington used his great experience to open up a winning gap by the 8K mark to come home in a very impressive 33.49, a new record and almost a minute faster than last year's winning time. Stephen Price eventually got the better of in-from clubmate Liam Venney to take second in 34.17 with Liam in 3rd place for the second year in a row on 34.33, almost 2 and a half minutes faster than last year and 8 seconds faster than last year's winning time. Liam Keenan and Stephen Shannon both had great workouts ahead of next Saturday's Seeley Cup race in Ormeau Park, with Liam carving 53 seconds off his 2009 time clocking 39.01 to take the O/45 title and Stephen delighted to to get under 40 minutes in 39.48. Great running all round.  

Mark McDowell too gave notice of his recovery from his Dublin marathon exertions taking the O/35 prize in 40.23 while Tom Dowey, Up & Runners taking the Over 55 title. First lady home was North Belfast Harrier, Amanda Perry in an impressive 41.17 with last year's runner up Diane Wilson from Lagan Valley again taking 2nd spot ahead of East Down's Fionnuala O'Boyle in 43.27. One of the most notable performances of the day was however Kim Surginor's 45.19, taking the Over 35 prize but carving a massive 6.46 off last year's time – how did she do that?  That's easy, just loads of hard work, the occasional throw up and an ever lovely smile!  Orla McElroy took the Over 45 prize and Maureen Oliver repeated her success of last year in the Over 55 category.
A nice touch for the ladies was the presentation of flowers to all category winners.

Strong runs too from Arthur Morgan and David Devenney who each knocked 5 minutes off last year's times, evidence that regular training pays off.
It was good to see Kieran McMahon back in action again, just getting the better of the “resting” Paul Rogan and a brave showing too from the Murlough AC ladies who were just pipped for the ladies team prize by East Down.  The Fun Run enabled Nicola Rogan, brother Padraig, Beth O'Boyle and Eimear Degan to try themselves out over a firmer surface for a change and they showed how well they are coming along.
Bravest run of the day however had to be that of Mark McGrady, who set off to run the 5K, missed the turning and ended up on the 10K route. Undaunted and showing that he has inherited all his mother's fighting qualities he kept going and completed the longer distance in style, helping Saul GAC to win the Team prize, and evoking a fitting tribute from Club Vice Chairman Eddie Harney. Well Done Mark.

A memorable day ended in the convivial atmosphere of the Community Hall where a commendable array of food, drinks and fruit was done full justice to by the grateful participant. This is becoming a notable feature of this event and enables everyone to relax and enjoy each others company. Special thanks to main sponsor, Paddy's Barn and to Coca Cola, Flowers by Tracey, Autozone, Up & Running, Robinson's Spar, Murphy's Stores and Conor Polly.
 

AGE GROUP CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

A couple of weeks ago when some of us were enjoying a bite of the Big Apple Johnny, Ellen and Paddy Erskine and Elaine Burch were experiencing similar chilly conditions in Scotstown Co. Monaghan in the Ulster and NI Uneven Age Group Cross Country Championships. All ran well with Johnny taking 59th , Ellen 24th and Paddy 37th places in very competitive races. Elaine put in a determined bid to win the under 17 title setting off well and was the last runner to be dropped by Yasmin Wilson who went on to win, well clear of the others. Elaine was then joined by Emma Sharkey and the two traded 2nd and 3rd places throughout until Emma eventually prevailed to finish second. Elaine was then made to pay for her early brave attempt to take on Yasmin and was caught by the fast finishing Sara Moore with about 500 metres to go and could not respond. Elaine was reasonably pleased with 4th and is to be commended for taking  on the winner even if she perhaps paid  the price for it in the long run.  But if you don't try you'll never know.  She now has a chance to rethink her strategy for the All Ireland's.



Joe Quinn

22 November 2010