Have Feet, Will Travel would be a suitable motto for most running clubs but never has it been more appropriate than in describing the activities of East Down AC members in recent weeks.  It all started with Gavin Smyth's trip to Barcelona for the Half Marathon in mid February followed by Heather Lindsay's visit to the same city for the full version on 1 March, coincidentally on one of her birthday's, which she completed in an excellent 4 hours 38 minutes, and continued with several eyecatching performances in the hugely successful Jimmy's Ten.

Then it was off to Rome for Declan Teague and Joe Quinn for the Marathon there the week after – though the departure of the Pope for a visit to Africa on the day of their arrival is reportedly purely coincidental.  He may regret missing a significant photo opportunity!  Rome is a generally flat course and has great crowd support as the route wends its way around that great city, including an awe inspiring view of St Peter's, as runners pass through the bottom corner of the Square, and risking a quick glimpse at the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain while avoiding the potholes and uneven surfaces.  The trouble with it is that most of the streets are cobbled and after 26.2 miles of those, feet are understandably hot, bruised and blistered – but the finish at the Colosseum is one of the best and most memorable in distance running.  Temperatures were similar to here and there was a fresh breeze along by the Tiber but conditions were generally near perfect for running, even if some of the running was far from perfect.  Like most “away from home “ marathons the challenge is more in the doing than in trying to set best times, unless you're from Kenya or Ethiopia, so both Down men were happy to soak up the atmosphere and finish in 3.45 and 3.41 respectively.  A perfect trip marred somewhat by the non return of Joe's luggage and irrespective of who now has it, there is the danger it could turn into a weapon of mass destruction if opened, as it contains 5 days dirty washing and the less than aromatic gear he ran in! A treasure not to be sniffed at!

On the same Sunday Liam Keenan travelled to Monaghan and recorded a personal best 17.54 in the Glaslough 5K, the same time it was taking the guys in Rome to run 3K!
The day before Michael McKeown went West to Omagh and produced his best run for some time when clocking 1.32 for the Half marathon.

And to conclude the Club's exotic journeyings, at least until next week, a party of 10 made their ways to wind lashed Larne on Saturday for the annual Half Marathon. Judging by last year's conditions and the similar cold, blustery, though sunny welcome which greeted competitors this year, it is safe to conclude that Northern Ireland imports its wind supplies through Larne, most of its year's allocation on Half Marathon Saturdays!

Nevertheless there were several personal bests as the tailwinds on the return journey compensated for the battle on the way out to Ballygally.  Nigel Martin gave full notice of his Belfast marathon build up with a blistering 1.27.17 followed closely by Philip Vint a fellow marathon aspirant on May Day, in 1.28.24,  and Michael McKeown, a model of consistency, clocking 1.32 for the second week in a row.  Brian Hamilton too got among the prize money, taking 2nd place in the Over 60 category in 1.34, en route to his main target for the day, Northern Ireland's clash with Poland at Windsor Park. Recovered from his exertions in Rome and happy with the wind in place of the cobbles, Joe Quinn recorded 1.37, which only placed him 5th in this category – who says old guys aren't competitive?
Gerard Burns too can feel well satisfied with a 1.36 time as he comes to terms with the sad and untimely loss of his father last week.  The Club extends condolences to him, his mother and entire family.

Raymond Milligan suffered agonies as his stomach boiled over and he did well to complete the race in 1.54 after contemplating a swim in Draynes Bay on the way out.  The girls too, did commendably well led by a feisty performance from Sheena McKermitt   right on the 2 hour mark, her best yet – if she ever submits to a regular training regime she could do serious damage to that time too.  Her sister Linda Cunningham was pleased to hit 2.02 as she continues her build up to the London marathon in 4 weeks time an event she is looking forward to immensely.  Helen Vint completed a personal best double for the Vint household, with an assured 2.06 and Bernice and Frank McCann also improved their Dublin Half marathon times, posting 2.22 – who says that husbands and wives can't do things together? 


What next? – the Queens 5K Round the River race on Wednesday and the Titanic Quarter 10K on Sunday next beckon, but watch out for icebergs.




Joe Quinn

29 March 2009