Speculation had been raging for weeks both within the East Down Club and the wider running fraternity about the prospects of training partners and rivals Liam Venney and Brendan Teer in the NI and Ulster Junior Cross Country Championships in Lurgan Park on Saturday. Liam had finished in 3rd place in last year's race just one place ahead of Brendan and had not only beaten all his main rivals for Saturdays race in the recent Antrim IAAF International, which Brendan missed through injury, but had also looked the stronger of the duo when they won the Cracker pairs race in Castlewellan just after Christmas.
BRENDAN SUPREME
On the day however, after the previous day's continuous rain had left large stretches of the 2K course virtually under water, the race turned into a virtual procession, such was the grip which Brendan imposed on it from the off. Leading by about 10 metres at the end of lap 1 he never slackened his pace despite supporters pleas to the contrary and at the line had extended his lead over 2nd placed Adam Boyd, North Belfast Harriers to 41 seconds in a performance reminiscent of Stephen Scullion's tour de force at Stormont 2 years ago.
Afterwards a disappointed Liam was at a loss to explain his relatively poor showing, by his standards, and he certainly appeared flat and listless throughout – perhaps the gruelling race in Antrim had taken its toll – but he must be a live prospect for next year when Brendan will no longer be eligible and he can plan a different approach. Nevertheless he stuck to his task and hung on to take 11th place, ahead of Seeley Cup 3rd Scott Rankin. The next 2 East Down men home were Neil McCartan and Barrie Atkinson in 21st and 22nd places respectively and just 4 seconds apart. Then came a closely grouped quartet headed by Mark McDowell 79th, Liam keenan 81st Paul Burns 84th and Francis Tumelty 85th to help take 6th place in the strongly contested team challenge. This was one of the largest fields to take part in this event for many years and Michael Cultra, Michael McKeown, Peter Morgan, Stephen McCartan and Gavin Oakes made up the East Down contingent.
LADIES TAKE TO THE GRASS
Earlier in an unique off road experiment 9 East Down Ladies dipped their toes in the water (mud) that is cross country running. And a very successful and (mostly) enjoyable experiencce it proved with all finding and mostly keeping their feet in fine style. The ladies race with almost 150 runners was the biggest field of the day and the East Down squad battled it out amongst themselves in a race within a race over the 4K distance. Cheryl Denvir shrewdly worked her way through the field and was first East Dunumian across the line just 2 seconds ahead of fast finishing Tracey McDowell. Debutante Catherine O'Connor came next ahead of Oonagh Brétéché. Performance of the day award however goes to Betty McCartan who was an absolute revelation in her first competitive run after a long injury layoff. She absolutely revelled in the conditions, looked like she was enjoying every minute of it and finished in the top 100. Whatever you're on Betty I'll have some of it please – there is no truth in the rumour that her maiden name was Armstrong, though she too was over the moon at the finish. Given that most of the squad ran without spikes the performances were all the more laudable, with Lisa Milligan, Kim Surginor, and Carmel Tumelty managing to stay upright while Mags Flynn on one occasion taking a closer look at the ground conditions. It is hoped that the experience will lead them to undertake another outing at the last cross country fixture of the season at Stormont next month.
AWARDS NIGHT
A highly successful and enjoyable day was rounded off in style when the 2012 Club awards were presented at a Dinner in the atmospheric surroundings of Justine's Restaurant. Club Person of the Year award deservedly went to the long serving Club Treasurer and Coach Frank Cunningham who is one of the main reasons the Club is still in existence and who works tirelessly and with great integrity and dignity behind the scenes for the benefit of all the members.
Male Athlete of the Year award went to Michael McKeown, Female Athlete of the year to Linda Cunningham, Most Improved Female Athlete to Tracey McDowell, and a joint Most Improved Male Athlete award to Barrie Atkinson and Francis Tumelty.
ROLLERCOASTER RACES
Next Saturday it's the Rolercoaster races at Downpatrick Racecourse beginning at 11.46am with the P3/4 race. Entries for all races taken on the day, Everone welcome, Medals for all in Children's races and free soup and roll to all competitors.
Joe uinn
28 January 2013
