Officially it was New Year's Day though it was the 2nd January - it could only happen here – and perhaps fortuitous in that the excesses of the festive season had had another day to recede. Or perhaps, having committed to running in East Down's first ever club handicap race on the first Monday of 2012, no one had over indulged anyway. No pun intended here but Fat Chance! The day was sunny, indeed not a cloud was in sight, but with a strong wind making it feel colder than it was. I don't understand that statement – how can it feel colder than it is unless it is actually colder? But since they say it on TV it must be right.
Anyway there was a very strong wind as the runners assembled at Tyrella Beach for the 12 noon start. The route, a brilliant mixture of beach, boardwalk and grass, had been identified as an appropriate arena by Declan Teague, with a challenging 3 and a bit laps of a 1.6 mile circuit marked out to make up the 5 mile challenge distance. Handicapper in chief Liam Keenan had worked long into the night to calculate fair time penalties for those who had “form” with the intention of all 35 starters crossing the finish line together. Much to the relief of the timekeepers and line judges this did not happen but apart from the unknown quantities it worked out pretty well.
With the assistance of a strong tailwind the first group comprising Paul and Tom McMeekin, Catherine Woods, Tara Findlay and John Oakes set off with a start ranging from 6 to 20 minutes over the other groups and while everyone tried their utmost Paul and Tom retained their advantage to cross the line in first and second places ahead of first lady Lisa Milligan. My handicap was not the time but the requirement to continuously put one leg past the other. I reckon my left leg is sponsored by Long John Silver, only there's more life in his and despite on one occasion making a passable attempt at digging in the sand with my face for buried treasure, I managed to get round. Might have a word with Jake the Peg for next year though.
But everyone enjoyed it, especially the soup and sandwiches laid on afterwards at Minerstown Tavern and the superb Christmas cake provided by Declan's Mum – she may have missed the New Year's Honours list but was unanimously awarded an MBE – Minerstown Baker Extraordinaire – by the assembled crowd.
After the refreshments Paul was presented with the magnificent John Cullen Cup and it is hoped that it will be the first of many annual jousts for this coveted trophy. Paul nominated the Cystic Fibrosis Trust to be the recipient of the entry fees.
The results are as follows, finishing order only shown, as due to a technical hitch the times could not be accurately recorded (the stopwatch was dropped in the sea between start line and finish and developed hypothermia but the culprit has been deported).
It's obvious that the handicapper did not do himself any favours but also that we all know who will rule the roost in the McDowell household, at least until the next handicap.
1 Paul McMeekin
2 Tom McMeekin
3 Lisa Milligan
4 Betty McCartan
5 Helen Vint
6 Brian Donnelly
7 Linda Cunningham
8 Gareth Kimpton
9 John Findlay
10 Tom MCClean
11 Denis McKay
12 Peter Morgan
13 Stephen Heasley
14 Stephen Shannon
15 Colum Surginor
16 Gavin Oakes
17 Michael McKeown
18 Charlie Ataliotis
19 Declan Teague
20 Brendan Teer
21 Cheryl Denvir
22 John Oakes
23 Philip Vint
24 Tracey McDowell
25 Mark McDowell
26 Raymond Milligan
27 Ryan Hagen
28 James Magennis
29 Ethan Braniff
30 Gary McLoughlin
31 Wendy Findlay
32 Tara Findlay
33 Catherine Woods
34 Joe Quinn
35 Liam Keenan
NI AND ULSTER JUNIOR CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
On Saturday Liam Venney and Brendan Teer made the long journey to Scotstown, Co. Monaghan
for the NI & Ulster Junior Cross Country Championships over a heavy, muddy course. Hot Junior favourite Jarlath Falls 42.21 of Ballymena went one better than last year's runner up spot when his early break translated into a huge one minute victory from North Belfast's Alan O'Hara 43.26 with Liam taking a splendid 3rd place in 43.37 with Brendan 43.59 in 4th. A super result for East Down and gives hope that the team title is winnable next year if the Club can field it's best team.
Next weekend it's Moira Demesne for the annual City of Lisburn Cross Country races on Saturday and on Sunday it's all roads lead to the splendid surroundings of Castleward for round 5 of the McGrady Financial Services Junior Cross Country Series.
ROLLERCOASTER RACES
Two weeks after that the action switches to the county town and the surface from grass to tarmac as Downpatrick Race Course will be the venue for the Rollercoaster Races around the course perimeter road.
This is the ideal opportunity for novice runners to get a first taste of running an achievable distance. The senior race over an accurate 5K distance, 3.1 miles ( about 25 furlongs in horse racing parlance) will be at 2.00pm and has already attracted widespread interest - a large turnout is anticipated. An U/20 race will also be held in conjunction with this race.
There will also be races for P4/5 and P6/P7 Colts and Fillies,commencing at 12.00 noon, with special shields for the Best Boys and Girls P6/7 Primary School Teams (first 4 finishers to count) over a 1,000 metres distance as well as at U/13 (1.5K), U/15 (2K) and U/17 (2.5K) age group levels in both categories. All local schools are invited to come along - it will be ideal preparation for the upcoming schools cross country races.
Joe Quinn
8 January 2012
