12 October 2008
Armagh 10
East Down Athletic Club
What’s the connection between the Windy City and the Cathedral City? Nothing obvious you might think to link Chicago and Armagh but on Sunday both venues had runners from East Down in their respective races. While it was unseasonably hot in Chicago, temperatures in the high 30s for the annual marathon, conditions were well nigh ideal for the 10 Mile Race starting and finishing at Navan Fort. Naturally there were more of the East Down fraternity in the Orchard County but it was Brian Hamilton’s efforts in the USA which deserve first mention here.
Although allegedly going for a “social marathon” run, as his primary target is Dublin in 2 weeks time, he set off with the 3.40 pacemakers and did himself and the Club proud as made light of the heat and crossed the line in a splendid 3 hours 38 minutes. Can he top that in Dublin - the book’s open but don’t write off his chances - he‘s a tough wee man.
Back home Brian entrusted the task of taking the Over 60 category to regular training partner Joe Quinn but he was trumped for that honour by the evergreen Willie McCracken and had to settle for 2nd place. However he was satisfied with his performance as he finished strongly in 73 minutes in his last competitive outing before he too takes on the 26.2 miles of Dublin’s streets on October 27th. This run enabled him to claim the Gold Medal in the 10 Mile Grand Prix Series, calculated on the best 3 placings out of the 4 race series.
Also heading south that weekend are James Magennis, Linda Cunningham and Sheena McKermitt all of whom had personal bests over the challenging but scenic 10 mile route. James recorded 72.27, a heartening effort after some more intensive training while Linda and Sheena both carved over 5 minutes each form their previous bests, clocking 87 and 92 minutes respectively - Great running ladies and there’s more to come from all of them! !
Prospective East Down member and New York marathon bound Michael McKeown was also delighted to record a personal best, ducking under the 70 minute barrier with a splendid 68.50 - perhaps the result of a long training run and some priceless advice, 2 weeks ago with some of the aforementioned. Another in the same category (prospective Club member that is) was Stephen McCartan, who finished just seven seconds behind James (72.34) in what was for him a personal best, this from a man who not too long ago was recording over 51 minutes for a 10K. However his time on Sunday may well be queried by the authorities as he ran in a pair of borrowed shoes - the question is if they belonged to one of the fast men - Paul Rowan or Joe McAllister perhaps - did they give him an unfair advantage? While not quite up there with the illegal substances debate this question will tax the minds of the Federation’s best. It may only be when they have studied footage (no pun intended) of the shoes crossing the line and can confirm that Stephen was still attached to them that the time will be ratified.
But Well Done to all who ran - on both sides of the Atlantic - and let rivalry resume again in Dublin in 2 weeks time. Next week is Comber Cup action and selection for the Veterans teams for the British Cross Country championships with several runners staking a claim for places in the team.
Joe Quinn
12 October 2008
What’s the connection between the Windy City and the Cathedral City? Nothing obvious you might think to link Chicago and Armagh but on Sunday both venues had runners from East Down in their respective races. While it was unseasonably hot in Chicago, temperatures in the high 30s for the annual marathon, conditions were well nigh ideal for the 10 Mile Race starting and finishing at Navan Fort. Naturally there were more of the East Down fraternity in the Orchard County but it was Brian Hamilton’s efforts in the USA which deserve first mention here.
Although allegedly going for a “social marathon” run, as his primary target is Dublin in 2 weeks time, he set off with the 3.40 pacemakers and did himself and the Club proud as made light of the heat and crossed the line in a splendid 3 hours 38 minutes. Can he top that in Dublin - the book’s open but don’t write off his chances - he‘s a tough wee man.
Back home Brian entrusted the task of taking the Over 60 category to regular training partner Joe Quinn but he was trumped for that honour by the evergreen Willie McCracken and had to settle for 2nd place. However he was satisfied with his performance as he finished strongly in 73 minutes in his last competitive outing before he too takes on the 26.2 miles of Dublin’s streets on October 27th. This run enabled him to claim the Gold Medal in the 10 Mile Grand Prix Series, calculated on the best 3 placings out of the 4 race series.
Also heading south that weekend are James Magennis, Linda Cunningham and Sheena McKermitt all of whom had personal bests over the challenging but scenic 10 mile route. James recorded 72.27, a heartening effort after some more intensive training while Linda and Sheena both carved over 5 minutes each form their previous bests, clocking 87 and 92 minutes respectively - Great running ladies and there’s more to come from all of them! !
Prospective East Down member and New York marathon bound Michael McKeown was also delighted to record a personal best, ducking under the 70 minute barrier with a splendid 68.50 - perhaps the result of a long training run and some priceless advice, 2 weeks ago with some of the aforementioned. Another in the same category (prospective Club member that is) was Stephen McCartan, who finished just seven seconds behind James (72.34) in what was for him a personal best, this from a man who not too long ago was recording over 51 minutes for a 10K. However his time on Sunday may well be queried by the authorities as he ran in a pair of borrowed shoes - the question is if they belonged to one of the fast men - Paul Rowan or Joe McAllister perhaps - did they give him an unfair advantage? While not quite up there with the illegal substances debate this question will tax the minds of the Federation’s best. It may only be when they have studied footage (no pun intended) of the shoes crossing the line and can confirm that Stephen was still attached to them that the time will be ratified.
But Well Done to all who ran - on both sides of the Atlantic - and let rivalry resume again in Dublin in 2 weeks time. Next week is Comber Cup action and selection for the Veterans teams for the British Cross Country championships with several runners staking a claim for places in the team.
Joe Quinn
12 October 2008
