JUNIORS AT INDOORS
On the weekend of the European Indoor Championships in Sweden 2 of east Down's rising stars were trying their hands (and feet) in a similar environment in the UUJ campus outside Belfast. Emily Forte and Eimear Connor both took part in the 60 metre sprints, with Emily recording 9.26 seconds for 3rd place in her heat of the Under 14 girls and just failing to qualify for the final , while Eimear clocked 9.24 in her heat of the Under 15 girls event, but also missed out on qualifying. This was their first experience of indoor racing and as evidenced by Fionnuala Britton in Gothenburg, it is a totally different challenge to cross country running.
TEER TRIUMPHS AT ALBERTVILLE 5 MILES
Saturday also marked the start of the road running season and several seniors opened their accounts in the Albertville 5 Mile race n the Duncrue Industrial Estate in Belfast. It proved a wise choice as Brendan Teer ran out a clear winner after clocking a fantastic 25.29, fifteen seconds ahead of City of Derry's Richard Johnston with Mourne Runners Andrew Annett a further 23 seconds back in 3rd place. This performance augurs well for Jimmy's Ten race on 17 March and could well see Brendan crowned first local to win the prestigious event. Barrie Atkinson also continued his recent good indoor form, placing 16th in 28.04 with Liam Keenan 29.59 recording a splendid sub 30 minute time. Paul Burns too could be well pleased with his 31.51 as he builds up for Jimmy's and Peter Morgan's 33.33 was well under 7 minute mile pace over the distance.
CARLINGFORD HALF
In keeping with his globetrotting exploits last year Club award winning Michael McKeown travelled to Carlingford for the first half marathon of the year, placing 38th in a field of over 400, and recording close to a personal best 1.28.24.
LEITRIM LADIES ONLY 5K
Carmel Tumelty was one of the 80 plus ladies who took part in this event on Sunday, the first time the race has been held and was happy with her time of 27.02 over a course described as “undulating”. All proceeds from the event are being donated to the neo-natal unit in Belfast City Hospital.
DEADLINE FOR JIMMY'S TEN ENTRIES
And so with less than 2 weeks to go before Jimmy's Ten hits the road again local runners are putting the finishing touches to their training and hoping that the current calm, dry weather continues until the big day. Hundreds have already entered and runners are reminded that with the 600 limit close to being reached there may be no entries taken on the day. Online entries close at midnight on Monday 11th March so with a carry over option on offer anyone interested in taking part should do so now.
Joe Quinn
4 March2013
