Have Feet, Will Travel is a mantra I've used before and never was it truer than in the course of the past week when East Down's athletes travelled the length and breadth of the country and beyond in pursuit of achievement and glory. Last Sunday Patrick Sheridan took on a highly talented and competitive field in the Boys Under 14 All Ireland 1500 metres championships at Tullamore and turned in a strong performance, though well short of his best, but finished out of the medals.
Tuesday it was "across the water" to Portaferry and the Gala Week 10 Mile Road race and Relay. Now one of the most popular races on the calendar it this year attracted a talented squad from Raheny Shamrocks and Donore Harriers, two of Dublin's top clubs, who braved the threatening weather conditions and were rewarded with a significant share of the spoils. The race was won in fine style by Raheny's Simon Reede in 54.56 with Donore's Keith Daly 3rd in 56.40. The filling in the sandwich was Newcastle's incomparable Deon McNeilly, something of a stranger to road running these days but showing all but one of his younger protagonists the way home. Now in the Over 45 category he is running as well as ever and a time of 56.23 on the challenging, but magnificently scenic course is one to be applauded. Martin Rea, North Belfast, and Simon Seaton (North Down) made up the top five with Newry marathon winner Don Travers (Newry City Runners) in 6th place. The weather had turned dry, sunny and warm by the time the race started but to compensate left a strong headwind all the way along the shore until the route turned inland. The winning times therefore are all the more creditable with the top 11 runners breaking 60 minutes. Just outside that magical time was the first lady home, Abbey's Gladys O'Neill, a former winner of Jimmy's Ten, who posted 61.42 and was over 3 minutes ahead of 2nd placed Lisa Tracey of North Belfast.
But it was the form of Liam Keenan which gladdened the heart of the locals and the large East Down contingent who took part as he took several notable scalps, including that of the tough as nails Joe McCann, to come home in a flying 62.13. Just 6 places and under 2 minutes behind came Philip Vint (64.06) who is a perfect example of the fruits of hard work, knocking 5 minutes off last year's time – and not to be outdone wife Helen knocked 6 minutes off her previous time finishing in 93 minutes.
But all down the field personal bests were being recorded, with Michael McKeown and Gerry Burns just seconds apart in the 68 minute bracket, Declan Teague on as happy as a sandboy on 69, Brian Hamilton on 72, Stephen McCartan, 7 minutes up on last year in 73, followed by the trio of Chris McLoughlin, good to see you back Chris, Anna Stamp and Joe Quinn in 74 and 75 minutes respectively. And then just to rub it in Simon McGrattan cruised home in 79 minutes, carving a monumental 8 minutes of his previous best, but underlining the benefits of Club training and an organised training schedule. Michael Degan proved that a week in the French capital had not rubbed the edge off his fitness, coming home in 82 minutes, with Daryll Madine and Denis McKay pacing each other to 90 minutes. Probably happiest man of all was Colum Surginor as he nailed his target time of 92 minutes almost to the second.
The Ladies too responded magnificently as they were led home by Ruth Francis in 78 minutes to take 2nd in the Over 40 category, with Kim Surginor delighted with 88 minutes on her first attempt at the distance, Roisin Gaffney and Linda Cunningham in 93 minutes, and Deirdre Mount and debutante Emer Moore in 94. In addition Colm McNeill ran a leg of the relay as did Helen Murray with her dad, and Frank and Bernice McCann did likewise to complete a magnificent turnout from the Club.
Thursday and it was further afield, though still "across the water", in Serbia to be precise as James O'Hare made his first international appearance with the Irish team in the European Athletics Junior Championships, running in the 1500 metres, but recording a below par 3.56 in the hot, unfamiliar conditions, to miss out on the final – but he will have more chances to perform to his ability in the coming months.
Friday and it was Cookstown for their inaugural Half Marathon from the Mid Ulster Sports Arena. Why do people think it's a good idea to site sporting facilities on the tops of hills and then decide to put the finish of long races just outside the centre's front door? Everybody else can drive to the venue, exercise, change and leave in their cars downhill. Runners arrive, leave downhill on foot and if they want to change afterwards must run back up the hill! Fair?
In any event I was there along with Michael McKeown and Ruth Francis for the final race in the Grand Prix series, hills or no hills. Now it is claimed that Cookstown has the longest street in Europe, if not the world, but it's actually longer than that, especially when you think it's the last mile of a half marathon and it turns out to be mile11 instead. The fact that it was festooned in flowers and crowded with spectators didn't compensate for the absence of mile markers after number 9, or the muscle shredding climb to the finish line. But that's all part of the deal and Michael made relatively light of it, coming home in 1.31, with me on 1.37, a measure of redemption after the trials of Ards, and Ruth consistent as ever with 1.41, to give her every chance of 2nd prize in her age category in the series. And what of Murlough's John O'Neill? Native of Cookstown, he declined to avail of local knowledge of the shortcuts to return an honest time of 1.55 , a commendable return to running after injury.
And on to Saturday – Antrim Forum and the final of the Young Athlete's League where 3 of East Down's athletes were in action for the Chairman's Select team. On a warm afternoon in blazing sunshine Artur Morgan ran a brave race in the 3000 metres and finished 4th in 11.24 while Patrick Sheridan had to give best to the City of Lisburn athlete in the 1500metres Under 13 Boys race, running without his usual bounce but deservedly winning Silver. The only Girl to participate was Julie McAvoy and she showed promise for the future in the 75 metres hurdles and a good appetite for longer distances with a steady run in the Under 13 Girls 1200 metres race.
So all in all practically a world tour inside a week - and what's next? The RGU Downpatrick 10K and 2 leg Relay has been re-arranged for Wednesay 12th August at 7.30pm – please note the change of day and date.
For further information contact Joe Quinn 44614235 or 07933214894 or Colm on 07807086131 or Club's website www.spanglefish.com/eastdownac.
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26 July 2009
