So London Marathon has come and gone again, mercifully free from the madness of Boston and a fitting reaction to those who would seek to intimidate by the slaughter of innocents. There were several reports of my face being seen in many of the famous tourist spots around the capital and indeed photos were produced to prove it. However a quick check of the body doubles used (or should that be double bodies?) revealed the truth. I was actually in the Cotswolds on marathon day and missed the live excitement and, in the interests of gastronomic research (dinner) I also missed the highlights programme.
But while I was relaxing several of my East Down club mates were pounding their way to glory in one of the world's greatest sporting events, led by Gavin Oakes 3.40 and Raymond Milligan 3.41, forgetting the time and enjoying the atmosphere for once while Simon McGrattan was also carried along by the fantastic crowd support despite the close attention of a tummy bug throughout the race. Simon usually falls in with company of some sort during his marathon adventures but it goes without saying that he won't want to meet this particular “friend” on his travels again.
On Tuesday night Neil McCartan continued his promising track season, taking 4th place in 5.58 in the 2000 metres race won by James O' Hare and 4th also in the 600 metres in a time of 1.26.
BALLYNAHINCH LIONS 10K AND SPRING LAKES 10 AND 5K
On Saturday past Brendan Teer was the easy winner of the Ballynahinch Lions 10K, coming home in 32.29, over 3 minutes clear of Annadale's Paul Carroll and East Antrim's Sam Crawford. Then on Sunday by way of a recovery run he cruised to victory again in the Spring Lakes 10K in Castlewellan. This was an event in which I anticipated putting Brendan under pressure when I entered a few months ago and also the one which I chose to give my new club vest its first outing. I did indeed manage to finish ahead of him but only because I opted for the shorter 5K distance as my training had consisted of just one 2 mile run plus a fall since the Christmas Cracker in December. The fall was in fact the only speed work I had done for over a year. It's amazing how quickly the ground comes to meet you when you go horizontal, in fact it's enough to bring Newton's law of gravity into question.
So having started 10 minutes ahead of the 10K runners and running half as far I recorded a time of 33.57 to Brendan's 34.41. Now while this might not strike fear into him at this stage of the season I felt a considerable sense of elation at once more being back in the only place where runners feel happy – taking part. My left leg is still a most reluctant participant but once it gets used to the fact that it's coming whether it wants to or not then we could become friends again. Alternatively has anybody got a spare blade?
THE REAL MADRID
Earlier in the day Declan Teague finished his European odyssey in the Madrid marathon, where in spite of an uphill final 5 miles and cold conditions he conquered the beautiful Spanish capital, with a with a superb PB of 3.06. This marks 2 significant points in his running career, namely the first airing of his new club vest, mistaken by many spectators apparently as the Spanish national colours and, the realisation that sub 3 hours is definitely possible! Perhaps Belfast on May 6th?
DOWNPATRICK LIONS 3 LAKES CHARITY RACE
The next big event locally is the brand new 3 Lakes Race on 11 May starting at 11.00am. This is an exciting addition to the racing calendar and has already attracted wide interest with 2 options a Fun Run over 7K and a 14K for the more experienced runners. The longer distance race will start and finish at the Lakeside Inn on the shores of Ballydugan Lake, pass by the waters of Magheraleggan Lake twice and circumnavigate the historic Loughinisland Lake, hence its title. It is reckoned to be one of the most scenic routes in the county and will take place on quiet country roads before returning to the idyllicly located Inn and refreshments courtesy of proprietors and race sponsors Margaret and Geoffrey Ferguson. The shorter race will see 2 lakes only as it will not go to Loughinisland but nevertheless has considerable rural charm which only the county Down countryside can provide.
GUIDE DOGS for the BLIND ASSOCIATION
All proceeds from the races will be donated to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and all local runners are invited to come along to support this worthy cause. While entries will be taken for both races from 9.00am on the day of the race runners are encouraged to enter online at www.athleticsni.org if possible.
Joe Quinn
28 April 2013
