Saturday saw the return of something which has been missing from the streets of Dundrum for over 20 years – the 8 Mile Road Race. Or to be more precise the 8.4 miles road race, showing that while even dormant, the event has in fact grown in size in the intervening period. With the entry limit of 300 reached a few weeks ago and the enthusiastic members of hosts Murlough AC raring to go all that was required was favourable weather to get the event off to a perfect start. Mother Nature (or whoever it is around Dundrum who is in charge of such meteorological matters) duly obliged with near ideal conditions. Perhaps it's unfair to describe the race as a Road Race – true it starts and finishes on the road but in between it takes in a considerable area of boardwalk through Murlough Nature Reserve and at least a mile and a half of sandy beach. So in spite of its stunning backdrop it provided a thorough test of speed and stamina, for many the final competitive workout before the Dublin marathon on 25th October.
However it was fitting that the first winner of this unique event should be Newcastle's ageless Deon McNeilly who completed the course in 48.34, well clear of his clubmates Brian Steele and Alan Strachan, and with 5 of the top ten finishers the club would surely have taken any team prize on offer. First Lady home was Amanda Perry, 54.36 just ahead of East Down's first finisher Stephen Shannon. Michael McKeown was next in 56.41 with Dublin bound James Magennis, running like a man repossessed, breaking the hour in 59.28.
Anna Mcoy led the East Down Ladies, 98th place in 63.34 with Kim Surginor showing her well being with a 63.56 timing ahead of another Dublin challenger Michael Degan 63.59. Chris McLaughlin too showed his fondness for beachcombing with a 65.39 return with Paul Rogan on 68.18. It's clear that these guys all fared better in their sea air therapy session than I did in White Park Bay a few weeks ago, but then the tide was out and the feet stayed dry, or so I'm told.
And Linda Cunningham made a welcome return as she led home a quartet of runners who all finished within a minute of her time, Roisin Gaffney, Deirdre Mount, debutante Margaret Straney and Denis McKay. Another eyecatching debut came from Shirley-Ann Thompson 79.41 who is proof that club training is worthwhile and it was great to see Sheena McKermitt back in action, Is she really injured or just having a Gap Year?
Well actually I didn't see her in action or any of the others either because I wasn't there due to a prior commitment at Downpatrick Racecourse. To be honest I'd have made more money backing my clothes horse. But the reports from Dundrum were of a great event, great hospitality and very well organised which augurs well for the future, Well Done Murlough AC – I'm running it next year horses or no horses. Come to think of it with those times to beat maybe I should bring a horse with me?
Meanwhile in Comber the focus was on Cross Country activity with selection for the NI team for the British Veterans Championships the prize. Danny Skeffington and Liam Keenan were staking claims in the over 45 category, surely the most competitive of all, while Peter Morgan was making his debut on the grass. Stephen Price also made his much anticipated re-appearance in the Open race and claimed 3rd spot with Brendan Teer 8th. Elaine Burch had a useful warm up for next week's championship races winning the Under 20 title and placing overall 10th in the Ladies race.
Next weekend the attention switches to the University of Ulster campus at Jordanstown for the Age Group Championships on Saturday, with East Down fielding 36 Juniors across the categories.
On Sunday a veritable exodus takes place as upwards of 15 East Down runners with associated husbands, wives, girlfriends, partners, supporters and a few non-categorised individuals leave for Dublin and the joy that is the Marathon on Monday.
Good Luck to all of you and remember – You are being watched! Keep your shape and keep your pace or risk the wrath of the unhairy bikers!
Joe Quinn
17 October 2010
"Adios Amigo"
