Perhaps it's the glut of fixtures or the tiredness of a long hard season or the availability of free weekly Park runs but whatever the reason entries for races both locally and further afield are noticeably down. But wait a minute the road racing season has only just begun, the Hill and Dale series has just begun with an increased entries, Spring has just begun and there's something in the air – That's it, the something is the cold wind which penetrates even the most strategically placed muffler or beanie. In fact Sunday just past has to be the coldest day on record for the time of year and may well have affected the turnout for the inaugural Mainstay DRP 5 Mile Road Race and Walk in Downpatrick. Only 14 brave souls braved the sunny but bitterly cold conditions over a route which was the most scenic flat one in the area. The race was won by North Down's Dennis Scott in an impressive 28.37 from East Down's newest recruit Tony Brennan in 32.43, impressive running indeed. They even broke sweat in doing so! First lady home was East Down's Cheryl Denvir, making a welcome comeback, from clubmate Emer Moore with the ever improving Sharon Carew making it a 1,2 ,3 for the host club. Of course there were lots of reasons why so few took part, not the least of which was Saturday's 10K in Ballynahinch and 2 other charity events on Sunday afternoon, while many other runners are completing their training for Belfast marathon next week or are recovering from their efforts in London, both running and celebrating, last weekend.
And of course there was the rugby. Next year however a more suitable date will be found for what has the potential to be a popular addition to the local racing calendar. But full credit to all those who withstood the ice cold wind to marshal the route. It may well be that we are descended from the apes but they proved by their fortitude that there are certainly no brass monkeys in their lineage.
The day before and setting the tone perhaps, a very small contingent from the club's junior section made their way to the Antrim Forum for the first round of the Young Athlete's League. Few though they may have been, all certainly performed with enthusiasm and no little success, with Marc Breteche leading the way with impressive third places in both the Long Jump 4m 51 and 100 metres sprint, in spite of a heavy cold.
Equally impressive was Paddy Erskine's run in the Under 17 Boys 800 metres where he recorded a PB 2.14 with a scintillating second lap to claim a deserved 3rd place. Sister Ellen also performed admirably in the Under 15 Girls 800 metres, moving from 7th to 4th in the space of 15 metres at the start of the 2nd lap and hung on well to finish just outside the podium positions.
Daniel Atkinson showed his versatility by competing over both the 100 and 800 metres distances while Elisha Surginor performed similar heroics in the Under 13 Girls 75 metres and the 800 distance. Aoife Cochrane, still recovering from a chest infection, ran steadily and finished strongly in the same 800 metres race. Eimear Connor also doubled up in the Under 15 Girls category, competing in the 100 metres and Long Jump. Emily Forte confined herself to the 75 metres sprint taking a creditable 5th place in a closely contested race.
So well done to all who travelled and took part but with only two preliminary rounds in this year's competition East Down are effectively already out of contention for a place in the Final on 7 July.
Earlier in the week there were some eye catching performances by the seniors in the Queens 5K, another event with significantly reduced numbers. Brendan Teer took a splendid 3rd place in 15.32 just behind Joe McAlister and Michael McKillop with Neil McCartan 20th in 16.51. Barrie Atkinson clocked 18.16 with Mark McDowell on 18.28. Peter Morgan was happy with his 20.31 and Colm McNeill equally so with 25.01.
Next week it's Belfast Marathon time again and best wishes are extended to all the East Down runners and all the other locals who will be pounding the streets – I'll see you all at the Ormeau Park gates. After that it's the Olympic Torch relay, more about that next week.
Joe Quinn
30 April 2012.
