Midweek activity in the Ulster Schools Cross Country at Mallusk set the scene for a busy week for East Down's athletes across all the age ranges. No medals at the North Belfast venue but good solid performances all round from Laura Gardiner11th , Ellen Erskine 13th Aoife Cochrane 28th Laura Green 26th is confirmation that more intensive training is paying off.
PARK RUNS
Saturday morning saw the early birds take on the weekly Victoria Park 5K Run with Declan Teague coming in 6th in 18.58 – not bad coming off night shift and as a credible excuse for missing the later starting Stormont Cross Country. Gavin Oakes gave it a miss this week after cutting his PB for the distance to 21.02 over the past 2 weeks and must surely break the 21 minute barrier on his next outing? Further down the road Liam and Carl Keenan flew the club colours admirably in the first Queens Park Run, with Carl out staying his Dad with a time of 27.06, a stirling effort.
STORMONT CROSS COUNTRY
On to the aforementioned cross country races hosted by the Civil Service club where 235 Primary School Boys and Girls got proceedings off to a rousing start in ideal conditions. Andrew McGrattan and Lawrie Kimpton finished in mid table respectability, with Andrew improving his 2011 position by over 30 places.
Daniel Atkinson was the only East Down runner in the under 13 race and acquitted himself taking 6th place. In contrast 4 girls turned out in the Girls equivalent with Laura Green, Aoife Cochrane and Amy Godfrey taking 2nd 3rd and 4th places respectively with the ever present Eimear Connor in 6th.
The new Cross Country league certainly brought increased numbers onto the grass this year and almost 160 men and women lined up for the senior event. Annadale's Paul Carroll had to use all his experience to eventually get the better of Willowfield's newly crowned Senior School's cross country champion Ryan Holt with City of Derry's Emmett McGinty in 3rd. Although several in the race had turned out earlier in one or other of the Park runs, East Down's had only one representative Michael McKeown, in the race. He finished a creditable 59th in what was a very competitive race.
KILCLIEF BEN DEARG COAST 10K
On Sunday the second running of the Ben Dearg Coast Run attracted over 75 entrants who enjoyed the Ballyhornan coast line at it's very best. With the gentle tide lapping the sandy beach and the water sparkling in the early afternoon sun it must surely have been heaven to experience the return journey from the village. Set off by Council Chairman Dermot Curran, the runners faced a fairly stiff head wind on the outward journey and race winner Brendan Teer certainly did not hang around to admire the scenery as he raced home in 33.01, a full minute clear of 2nd placed Adam Boyd with Newcastle's Aidan Brown doing well to come 3rd with clubmate Jerome McCrickard picking up the Over 40 prize with a splendid 5th place in 39.33. East Down's other best placed athletes were ryan hagen in 4th and Michael Cultra in 8th. Matthew Tumelty showed up well clocking 52.03 with Aurla McLoughlin the club's sole female runner coming home strongly in 54th. view race photos http://www.cathedralimages.com
Post race refreshments in the GAA Club premises were lavish and enjoyed by all who sampled the goodies on offer and a massive thank you must go to the hard working ladies who provided and served the food and fruit. Heavy stewarding and the presence of PSNI officers ensured the safe passage of all the rnners and those parents and children who took part in the Fun Run/Walk over a 5K distance. Organisers are already planning next year's event which promises to develop into a permanent fixture. Thanks are extended to all who helped in any way and especially to the sponsors.
JIMMY'S TEN ENTRIES
The fast approaching Jimmy's Ten which takes place this year on Sunday 18 March at 12.00 noon has seen a deluge of entries in the past week and runners are reminded entries are limited to 600 and entries will only be taken on the day if this figure is not reached before then, but at increased cost.
Online entry is now available on www.spanglefish.com/eastdownac and the recommendation is get in now to avoid disappointment. And of course as well as the usual top prizes on offer all finishers will be included in a draw for a £700 holiday voucher, thanks to the continued sponsorship of MB McGrady & Co, Chartered Accountants.
Pacers will again be provided to help runners achieve their target times so it's the one to give you the best chance.
For further details contact Joe Quinn 02844614235 or 07933214894.
Joe Quinn
26 February 2012
