From Milan to Omagh via Queens and Leitrim. Can you think of a more exotic itinerary – I certainly can including from Downpatrick to Newcastle via Clough and Dundrum – but these are some of the widespread locations visited by East Down athletes in the past week or so. The lucky participant in the Italian Job was Seamus Murphy who took part in the famous motor city's half marathon on 27 March. His time of 1.44 was a commendable effort though he reckons that apart from the Cathedral and the castle, there's not a lot to see in Milan, unless you're into shopping but I can't think of any runners who fall into that category. On Wednesday Liam Keenan and Stephen Shannon fought out a battle during the Queens 5K, where James O'Hare placed 5th overall in 15.00, with Stephen just prevailing, recording 17.38 to Liam's 17.41, just under a minute faster than his time last year. No sign of growing slow with age there. Also in action were Brendan Teer an excellent 15th in 15.51, Elaine Burch 21.39, Caroline O'Hare 24.27, Colm McNeill 25.41 and our remarkable honorary life member John McKeag who skipped round in 34.30 defying his 87 years.
LEITRIM
Saturday saw the inaugural 5 mile race and Fun Run in Leitrim and this excellently organised event has the makings of a not to be missed addition to the running calendar. We often say we don't do flat in and around Downpatrick so you an imagine what lay in store in Leitrim given the terrain available to the organisers. However not only did they mark out a challenging route but managed to provide a scenic circuit of this picturesque setting. It was a pity then that only 56 runners started the race as the anticipated numbers from the local clubs failed to materialise. For those who did turn up it proved a highly enjoyable outing topped off with a veritable feast of food afterwards. So take a bow the ladies who dished up the stew, pasta and tea.
The race itself quickly developed into a “game of 2 halves” with the “fast folk” numbering about 25 establishing a substantial gap over the more sedate group within the first mile. It was fitting perhaps that the 2 groups were led home by the respective Male and Female winners David McKibben 28.20 and Orla McEvoy 37.51. From a personal perspective, some way behind Orla, the small field enabled me to claim “one and only” status in the Over 60 category and to retire undefeated as I'll have moved out of that age group next year, unfortunately upwards rather than downwards.
CHALLENGE
The big question however is how come with so many GAA clubs organising road races not only in Down but in other counties, most notably Tyrone, that they don't send teams to each others events to compete for the team trophies? Almost inevitably the GAC team trophies are won by the host club in the absence of any competition and sometimes not at all as even the host don't muster a team either!!
It's great to welcome this upsurge in a return to the “athletic” aspect of their overarching title but surely there must be a competitive urge in there somewhere to prove to your footballing neighbour that you're fitter or faster or both? It might not be exactly Sam Maguire level (yet) but there's a lot of fun to be had trying to outrun your rivals.
OMAGH
At around the same time on Saturday afternoon Stephen McCartan ran the Omagh Half Marathon before that lovely part of the world was again plunged into mourning, as he puts the final touches to his London Marathon preparations and recorded 1.41 which despite being below his best time was nonetheless a significant effort on his comeback from flu a few weeks ago. Go and enjoy London Stephen, times don't matter there, you'll have a good one anyway. Norman Mawhinney also indicated a return to fitness with a 1.34 clocking while Stephen's son Neil who apparently carries the McCartan family speed genes, was first under 19 finisher in the 5K race, clocking 18.52 in 5th place overall.
Next week it's the Titanic Quarter 10K at 2.15pm on Queen's Rd Belfast – and this one is definitely flat – and boring!
Joe Quinn
4 April 2011
