Last Friday in August has become synonymous with the Killyleagh 5 Mile Road race, the final race in the Tour of the County Down series, and sponsored this year by the locally brewed Legbiter Beer. A record 110 runners found ideal running conditions after a day of intermittent heavy downpours with several East Down runners posting personal bests for the distance. The race was won overall by Willowfield's Allan McCullough from North Down's Francis Marsh while the women's trophies went to North Down's Debbie Matchett with Lagan Valley's Diane Wilson taking second spot.

An encouraging run from last year's winner Brendan Teer in 6^th place as he builds up his fitness after a long lay off and a stirring performance from Stephen Shannon too in his best of an injury ravaged season. Nigel Martin returned to competitive running after a Summer of arm breaking toil in the vineyards of France to record a personal best for the distance, his first on that particular type of fuel. Kim Surginor and Gavin Oakes both ran splendidly to break 40 minutes and no one will wipe the grins off their faces for some time to come.

Earlier Ellie and Johnny Erskine had performed heroically in the Primary School race over a tough 1300 metres course and together with Darcy Campbell claimed the team prize for Cumran Primary School in Clough.

The local focus next week will be on Castlewellan on Monday 7^th for the Mill Hill Mile where for a meagre £2 fee everyone can enjoy the ascent from Annsborough to the the town by the most environmentally friendly means of transport known to man – and woman of course as well – everyone should try this long running short run. If you haven't tried it before you'll set a personal best and if you already have you can attempt to do it faster – or slower if the notion takes you. Whatever you do don't miss it – the action starts at 7.30pm in Annsborough with entries in the Library in Upper Square, Castlewellan from 6.30pm onwards – the bad news is there's no transport to the start, you have to run down the hill first!

See you there.

Joe Quinn

29 August 2009