The Civil Service cross country races in Stormont are traditionally the last fixture of the season before road running begins and perhaps it was fitting that the transition should be assisted this year by the refusal of the groundsman to permit the use of the grass due to its condition resulting from the monsoon like rain of a few weeks ago. So the compromise was to use the abundance of trails which criss cross the estate with start and finish areas on the main avenue. A stepping stone from one genre to the other? It certainly proved a popular move as over 200 men and women turned out to contest the final round of the 6 fixture League – unfortunately having travelled to Rostrevor and Derry and all places in between in the course of fulfilling the earlier fixtures there were no runners from East Down among them, at this the closest of the venues.
City of Derry, already leading the Men's competition from North Belfast were in no mood to surrender their advantage and were out in force. Despite the best efforts of all the way leader and eventual winner Alan O'Hara, North Belfast Harriers, the North West team took first team place by just 2 points to seal their League crown. North Belfast were 2nd overall with Springwell taking 3rd place.
Earlier several of the junior members featured strongly in the Primary schools and Age group races, with another eycatching effort from Owen Edwards finishing 5th in a 4 man sprint for second place and good performances by Chris O'Connor 7th and Daniel Atkinson 9th in the Boys Under 13 race. In the girls equivalent Aoife Cochrane continues her steady progress, taking 9th place with another improver Mary-Jo Tumelty in 19th and Charis Vinaccia showing the benefits of regular training with a non stop effort in 25th. Very encouraging all round. In the Under 15 Girls race Elisha Surginor shows
KILCLIEF BEN DEARG COAST 10K and 5K RACES
On Sunday the third running of the Ben Dearg Coast Run attracted over 100 entrants who enjoyed a sunny if cold run to Ballyhornan and back. Best placed of the East Down athletes in a race won by Larne's James Brown in 34.59 from Newcastle's John Kelly and Up and Runners John McConell was Mark McDowell 38.32 in fifth with Michael Cultra 39.23 in 7th with what was I believe a new best time for the distance . It was good to see some of the relative novices dipping their toes in the waters of 10K running with Gareth Kelly, Cathy Burke and Christopher Campbell all recording commendable times, Aurla McLoughlin and Oonagh Cochrane breaking the 50 and 60 minute barriers respectively and Simon McGrattan having clocked some 18 miles earlier in the day displaying his gentlemanly side by accompanying wife Eithne to the finish line. Dermot Cahill and Tom McClean also posted good times 42.04 and 44.23 respectively over what is a challenging little course, usually embellished by a gentle headwind on the return journey.
Post race refreshments in the GAA Club premises were lavish and enjoyed by all who sampled the goodies on offer and a massive thank you must go to the hard working ladies who provided and served the food and fruit. Stewarding and the presence of PSNI officers ensured the safe passage of all the runners and those parents and children who took part in the Fun Run/Walk over a 5K distance.
Chris O' Connor, apparently none the worse for his exertions on Saturday, put his senior colleagues to shame by coming home first in a superb 22.10 while Cliona Shields flew the flag for the East Down girls without a protest from anyone.
JIMMY'S TEN ENTRIES
The fast approaching Jimmy's Ten which takes place this year on Sunday 17 March at 11.00 am has seen a deluge of entries in the past week and runners are reminded entries are limited to 600 and entries will only be taken on the day if this figure is not reached before then, but at increased cost. The organisers are guaranteeing to carry over to next year any entries which are not used so entrants should have no fear of losing out and are encouraged to enter now at www.athleticsni.org . And of course as well as the usual top prizes on offer all finishers will be included in a draw for £500 cash thanks to the continued sponsorship of MB McGrady & Co, Chartered Accountants and other significant prizes.
Pacers will again be provided to help runners achieve their target times
SPECIAL OFFERS
East Down AC have teamed up with St Patrick's Centre and the Downpatrick and Co Down Railway Society to make available 2 for the price of 1 entry vouchers for all entrants so as well as a T-shirt and goody bag participants can experience 2 huge slices of local history after the race or come back again at some future date to do it at their leisure.
Joe Quinn
25 February 2013
