Well it's been and it's gone and I hope you all saw it. It certainly didn't hang around for long but was well worth the early rising and braving the rain for that once in a lifetime chance to witness the passage of the Olympic Torch though Downpatrick on Thursday morning. The road was packed and the streets alive with colour and noise as local man Pat Power took over in Church St for the final leg of the Relay through the county town. He described it as possibly the most fantastic moment and feeling of his life and he was literally mobbed by the spectators who surged round to have photos taken of this historic occasion. A few moments to ignite his torch and then he was gone. But the good news is that he will be coming to the Club soon with the Torch for as many photos as members and their families wan, provided as he says it's not worn out by his frequent unwrapping of it to ensure it's OK and that he hasn't been dreaming!
But what a memory for those who witnessed at first hand this moment. Indeed everyone who looked on was green with envy at the privilege afforded to Pat and all the other ordinary men and women, boys and girls throughout the country who had been selected to be a torchbearer. While most people would have given their right arm and indeed other sizeable chunks of their anatomy to even be considered for such an honour it must have been of great consolation to them to see such sporting icons as Will.I.am, Jedward and Patrick Kielty etc accorded similar status.
While most of the “ordinary guys” showed great respect and humility and a fitting regard for the Torch the sight of Kielty posing while swinging it like a baseball bat was unedifying and totally insensitive to the dignity which it deserved to say the least. But then that's show business.
But did Down District and the local Tourist Board office miss a trick with it's handling of the Relay? I have no idea who was involved in sorting out the route for the Relay but while other areas beforehand displayed it at iconic locations like the top of Snowdon in Wales and the Giants Causeway and the Carrick - a - Rede Rope Bridge on these shores, and subsequently in Scotland on the ski lift at Aviemore and on a mountain bike in the Cairngorms, pictures which were shown around the world, we basically shunted it along the unexciting streets of our towns.
Would it not have been spectacular to have seen it carried to the top of Slieve Donard while it was in Newcastle? I know several boys from the Mourne area who could have had it up and down again in under an hour, while the rest of the country was still sleeping even, at the cost of awarding perhaps one torch to the Club involved. What a trophy that would have been. Pictures of that would surely have given tourism in the area a much needed boost. Or why didn't it get a visit to Down Cathedral and St Patrick's Grave in Downpatrick for similar reason? Perhaps next time?
ACTUAL RUNNING
Several of the members took part in the Mourne Mountain marathon races on Saturday with Brian Donnelly, fresh from his 32 hour 56 minutes completion of the Hardmoors 110 race in 19th place on 2 June, taking on the relatively short , for him, 52 mile Ultra marathon challenge – basically running from Rostrevor to Newcastle and back again, through the foothills of the mountains and on forest tracks – and finishing in 11hours 40 minutes.
Others to tackle the “sprint” distances of Full and Half Marathon, allegedly laughing and enjoying what were prettty challenging underfoot conditions were Wendy and John Findlay, ever present veterans of this event, clocking 4.59 and 4.44 respectively, Linda Cunningham a splendid 6.13, with Kim Surginor, having a trial run ahead of Dublin in October, recording 6.25 and Charlie Ataliotis 6.27. Clearly they'll have to cut out the laughing bit, it uses uP too much energy. Sheena McKermitt confined herself to the half and equally affected by the giggles crossed the line in 3.06. Magnificent efforts all round in what were extremely tough and testing conditions and a collective Well Done to all.
HILL and DALE
A few nights earlier on what could only be described as Monsoon Thursday with even the mad dogs staying indoors an intrepid band Hill and Dalers (Headers?) arrived in Donard Park for Race 8 in the series, only to find its length restricted for mere life and death considerations. With the Junior event postponed to a better time of year the seniors proceeded to set the example of do as we say and not as we do by heading off amid rumours that the Mountain Rescue team had been stood down until the weather improved. Over the shortened route it was David O' Flaherty who proved that persistence pays off by deservedly crossing the line, hidden beneath 6 inches of water, ahead of the other 111 finishers to claim his first H & D victory. The East Down quartet of Gavin Oakes 51st, Denis McKay 90th, Michael Degan 98th and Daryll Madine 102nd did well to finish and will toe the line again this week, providing the men in white coats let them out.
Joe Quinn
11 June 2012
