It's 13 hours since I got up and it's still only 7 o'clock – proof if it was needed that it must be Jimmy's Ten day again. Who said the longest day falls in June? Another beautiful day with heat in the sun after the early morning frost had retreated to a cooler corner. The race began from a new location this year, courtesy of Asda Supermarket on the Ballydugan Road, as the East Down Club sought to give runners a more benign introduction to the County town , while retaining the delights of the climb up English St and the encircling of the Cathedral. The runners were enthusiastically welcomed by the manager and staff of the long established business and a sincere thanks is due to them. Hopefully this venue will become the permanent start line for the race, now in its 14th year.
The race soon developed into a titanic contest between Greg Roberts, City of Derry Spartans, Joe McAlister, 4 times former winner and local star Brendan Teer. To his credit, Roberts was unfazed by his distinguished company and had established a significant lead through halfway. But McAlister knows this course like the back of his hand and worked his way back until he struck inside the final kilometre to win by probably the shortest margin in the history of the race, Roberts just 2 seconds back in second place, thus emulating the feat of clubmate Diarmuid Grant last year. Teer recorded his best ever placing in the race though his third place was 80 seconds behind Roberts. For the third year in a row North Belfast's Eamon White finished in 4th place and took the Over 40 prize again
Gladys Ganiel O'Neill proved worthy of her favourite billing in the ladies race completing a three timer 11 years after her first win and improving her winning time by 16 seconds of 2 years ago to 35.31, the margin that Dromore's Julie Turley ,also second a year ago, was behind her. And in another deja vu moment North Down's Julie Balmer repeated last year's 3rd place.
GERRY DUFFY
Special guest Gerry Duffy, though a minute slower than last year, improved his position by 2 places coming home in 34th One place and one second ahead of Gerry came East Down's Mark McGrady in a splendid 39.09, to clinch the Under 20 category. After Brendan Teer the next best East Down man was Declan Teague who gave a sign of his readiness for the London marathon in a month's time with a comfortable looking personal best 38.42, one second ahead of Stephen Shannon. Ryan Hagen finished strongly to break 40 minutes and Martin Willcox led the 40 minute group home in perfect time.
Personal bests too for Gavin Oakes and Gerard McAuley and a special Well Done to Aoife Cochrane and her mum Oonagh and Sharon Connor all completing their first races over this distance. Full details on all East Down performances next week.
At the closing of the prizegiving the £700 holiday voucher was won by Mags Mathieson, Up & Runners.
Thanks are extended to Down District Council Vice Chairman Liam Johnston for his attendance, to all the marshals and everyone who helped at registration and with the post race refreshments, the Athletics NI officials, to principal sponsor MB McGrady & Co, Chartered Accountants, the other event sponsors, Down District Council, Dupes DVD and Video Duplication, Translink, Plus2Print, Wrap and Roll and Flowers by Tracey. A special word is due to the staff in Down Leisure Centre who worked so hard to assist the smooth running of events in the Centre and to the PSNI personnel who contributed significantly to the success of the race by their presence around the course. news
Joe Quinn
19 March 2012
