Surface water, ankle deep mud and a gusting wind – conditions which traditionally lead to the postponement of outdoor sporting fixtures – were like manna from heaven to the beleagured running fraternity on Saturday in Moira Demesne as normal service was resumed after 2 weeks of icebound inactivity. It was a day too when several of East Down's juniors made their debuts over the grass. Not perfect conditions but battling and brave performances from the Primary School girls who set off on the energy sapping 1,000 metres route – unfortunately Johnny Erskine, who was the only Boy to turn up succumbed to a sore throat.
But Johnny's sister Ellen however, successfully defended the family honour with a characteristic performance to take 8th place in spite of the discomfort of a stitch over the last quarter. Emily Forte displayed a distinct liking for the mud to finish strongly in 11th place with Aoife Cochrane and Jemma Black dead heating 4 places further back. Amy Godfrey, also representing Cedar Primary School, was 17th with Maria McAuley 19th and Blaithnaid Evans in 22nd spot. This was a good outing for all concerned and the squad even admitted to enjoying it – when they got their breaths back! So take a bow girls!
In the Men's race over a 4 mile distance, Beijing Paralympic 800 metres Gold Medal winner, Michael McKilllop annihilated a field of 79 which included strong squads from City of Derry and North Down, winning by 15 seconds from the Foyleman Declan Reid and Owen Carleton (Abbey). Liam Keenan was a little disappointed with his 24.40 time and place behind some old foes but there will be plenty of chances in the coming weeks to exact revenge – and it's an incentive to intensify the training after the rigours of Christmas, holidays and flu. It's better to peak in the important championships to come than too early in the season. It was good too to renew rivalry with my Hill and Dale nemesis, Freddie Strickland from Ballydrain, in spite of vowing I was only going to run "'cos I was there". And though I caught him near the finish, his clubmate Francis Boal had already claimed the Over 60 title over a minute earlier.
Next weekend sees the 33rd IAAF International Cross Country incorporating the Celtic International Cross Country Championships with teams from Scotland, Wales, Ulster and Ireland taking part, in the picturesque setting of the CAFRE Greenmount Campus in Antrim.
Preparations are under way for the next local event, the Rollercoaster races at Downpatrick racecourse postponed from 30 January to Saturday 20 February. Letters will be going out to schools this week inviting teams for the Primary School and Age Group races for what should be a very enjoyable day if last year's experience is anything to go by.
Joe Quinn
