Emma Smyth was the East Down star at Day 1 of the NI and Ulster Age Group Championships in Antrim on Saturday, finishing a close 4th in the Under 15 Gilrs 100 metres sprint after qualifying 2nd in her heat, but proving even more effective in the 200 metres sprint when, after qualifying comfortably in her heat as second fastest overall she only narrowly failed by 7 hundredths of a second to take the Gold medal.
Emma was well supported by Emily Forte in the under 14 Girls competitions, taking 5th in the 80 metres 7th in the 200 metres and 5th in the Long Jump, a splendid return for a hard day's work.
Ellen Erskine made a welcome return to the arena and took 3rd place in the Under 16 Girls 800 metres race, only missing out on 2nd place by just over half a second.
Other in action were Owen Edwards, Daniel Atkinson and Olivia Mooney in 800 metres races and Eimear Connor in the 100 metres sprint. Action continues next weekend with all the 1500 metres and longer distance events to be decided.
MOURNE WAY MARATHON
Certainly not long distance running weather, though spectators are unlikely to complain, but nevertheless cometh the date cometh the runners. Around 6.00am on Saturday the endurance men and women set off from Kilbroney Park in Rostrevor en route for Newcastle and back in the Mourne Way Ultra marathon. Some 6 hours later another group including a sextet from East Down, set off from Donard Park to run half that distance, a mere 26.2 miles to Rostrevor, taking in forest trails, road and open mountain in this challenge with a difference.
THE DOUBLE
With either event not for the faint hearted at the best of times, the strong sunny conditions made it a war of attrition. Not in the least phased by it all was Murlough's Gerard Rowe, the only local boy in the ultra, continuing a series of what seems like a marathon every week. When I last saw him with just 12 miles to go he was still remarkably fresh and upbeat, though I didn't see him at the finish, and recorded 12. hours 36 minutes, a time to be proud of for ever.
THE SINGLE
East Down' representatives in the 26.2 event this year were Gavin Oakes, Simon McGrattan, Linda Cunningham, Charlie Ataliotis and husband and wife duo John and Wendy Findlay adding a new twist to having a day out together.
Gavin continued his splendid run of form, crossing the finish line in 4.40, with Linda and Simon delighted with 5.54 just behind John 5.53. With Wendy posting a superb 5.12 maybe she has discovered the perfect definition of togetherness! Charlie finished in 7.17 having gone through a tough time just after half way, with the inimitable Iryna Kennedy cruising home in 6.16. Other notable locals were Michael Galloway 4.59, Richard McGreevy 5.19 and Clarke Browne 5.39. Collective title? Heroes All!!
THE HALF'Ns
Another group of East Dunumiams opted for the half marathon and a notable run by Paul Burns saw him finish 9th in 1.38, his first attempt at the distance and a time which he will better by at least 10 minutes on the roads very soon. Oonagh Cochrane picked a cracker for her return to long distance running after last October's Dublin marathon but enjoyed the change of scenery in 2.57, a highly creditable effort, while Eithne McGrattan certainly not taking the easy options made her debut at the distance and chose well with Bernice McCann as her companion, crossing the line in 3.47. Well done ladies – up for the double distance next year?
LARNE HALF MARATHON
The Larne Half Marathon, postponed from end of March due to the heavy snowfall, remember that? eventually took place on Saturday too, in much different conditions, with Mark McDowell the first East Down man home in 1.26 – or was it really him? There were so many people listed as finishers in Larne but who were either taking part in or watching the Mourne Mountain events that I hesitate to name anyone with certainty, other than Michael McKeown 1.34, Cheryl Denvir 1.37, James Magennis 1.38 and of course Helen Vint in a new pb of 1.51. I do however think that Sinead McMullan 1.54, Diarmuid Quail 1.57, Mags Flynn 1.58 and Shirley-Anne Thompson, 2.07 were genuinely there so well done to all of them, several of whom were making their debuts at the distance
NEXT LOCAL RACE
The Loughinisland 5 mile and 3 mile Fun Run is fast approaching, on Wednesday 26th June to be exact, and a big turnout is expected to sample the new flat course, which has eliminated most of the hills in the second half of the original route. Online entry is now open at www.athleticsni.org.
Joe Quinn
10 June 2013
