It's a long way to Tipperary according to the song and it must have seemed an equally long way to Killybegs for the quintet of runners from East Down who made their way to the remote venue on Sunday for the NI and Ulster Uneven Age Group Championships – certainly they were unlikely to have burst into song on the journey other than to chime “Are we nearly there yet” while still an hour and a half away from the destination.  However the way back would have been very different and much shorter, with all entitled to sing the praises of some very notable performances.

ELLEN and LAURA STAR
Shining brightest of all were Ellen Erskine and Laura Gardiner in the Under 15 Girls race who supported each other  all the way throughout the race before Ellen edged ahead in the final stages to finish 6th in 14.52, just 4 seconds clear of Laura in 7th place.
Two great performances which earned them medals, a photograph with triple Paralympic Gold medallist Michael McKillop and a place in the All Ireland finals in Adamstown Co. Wexford on 9 December. Not a bad days work!!

BOYS DO WELL
Tim Prenter and Owen Edwards had opened the Club's account in the Under 13 Boys race and both acquitted themselves well in a large field, finishing  42nd and 46th respectively, and having to acclimatise quickly to the unfamiliar experience of running through sand dunes.  Paddy Erskine rounded off the day in fine style taking an excellent 28th place in a high quality Under 17 Boys race.

Well Done to all the runners and to their parents for getting them there and back safely and on time.

JUNIOR CROSS COUNTRY
Next Sunday it's the beautiful setting of Castleward for  Round 3 of the McGrady Financial Services Junior Cross Country Series, courtesy of the National Trust.

Before that the parents will be showing off their fitness in the Joe Seeley 10K in Ormeau Park on Saturday 17th. I'll see you there, watching from the sidelines again.

Joe Quinn

10 November 2012