POWER NI SUPER 5 SERIES
Thursday proved a fruitful night for East Down juniors at Mary Peters Track for Meet 3 of the Power NI Super 5 series with several tackling events which up to recently were just names on a programme writes Joe Quinn.
Andrew McGrattan, James Byrne, Michael O’Connor, Natasha Savage, Beth Watterson, Grace Surginor, Coleen and Aoife Burke all trying their hands, or rather their legs, at sprint hurdles. With Matthew McGrattan and Tim Prenter also having a first outing in the High Jump and others in the Shot Putt and Javelin competitions there was no shortage of volunteers for all the events on offer. Matthew was second in the 75 metres hurdles and 4th in the High Jump, with Tim second in the High Jump and 4th in the Hurdles. Emma Smyth was 2nd in the Hurdles and 5th in the Shot Putt as the night headed towards the witching hour.
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Declan Teague finishes the Walled City Marathon in 3.10[/caption]
NEW RECORD FOR BRENDAN
On the same night and at the same venue Brendan Teer was not only winning the senior 3000 metres race but also setting a new PB of 8.52 for the distance, phenomenal running by any standard and an indication of his current form and well-being ahead of the NI and Ulster Senior Championships on 15/16 June
HILL AND DALE
A little further east and it was Brian Hamilton taking the honours in the Over 65 category at Slieve Lough Shannagh in round 7 of the Hill and Dale series. Gavin Oakes was again first East Down man home, followed by Brian Wilson, Brian Hamilton, Paul Rogan and Gareth Kelly with another 4 from the club listed as “Disqualified”. I haven’t found out yet what they were up to but it may well require several minutes each on the naughty step to reinstate them.
WALLED CITY MARATHON
On Sunday the first marathon held in Derry for 28 years got under way at 8.30am with upwards of 2,000 runners taking to the streets of the Maiden City, a not uncommon occurrence there for other purposes over the intervening years, in what was entitled the Walled City marathon. .The race was won by 53 year old Tommy Hughes in a splendid 2.30 as the Marrakesh Express shows no signs of slowing down.
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Michael McKeown pictured running over the peace Bridge on the River Foyle in Derry. [/caption]
Another splendid run by Declan Teague saw him cross the line in 3.10 with Michael McKeown next in 3.15 The ladies were out in force too with Tracey McDowell recording 3.48, Oonagh Breteche 3.58, improving her pb by 1 minute, Linda Cunningham and Simon McGrattan 4.09 and Aurla McLaughlin sore but happy with a new pb of 4.11. Apologies if I have left anyone out or have recorded incorrect slower times than achieved but there are as yet no official or unofficial results posted for the race, not perhaps the best advert for the City of Culture.
UPCOMING EVENTS
On Saturday 15 June East Down club will be assisting Bredagh GAC with their 10K race at 1.00pm and 3K Fun Run at 12.30pm in Ormeau Park.
Following that there is the Loughinisland 5.00 miles race on 26 June at 7.40pm with the 3 Mile Fun Run at 7.30pm. The race will be held over a new route this year and should prove much more popular than the previous choice. As usual post-race refreshments will be served in the GAC Club rooms.
Following closely behind these events comes the BK10K in Ballykinlar, on Sunday 7 July, an almost entirely off road race, taking in a large part of the Dundrum Bay shoreline but starting and finishing at Ballykinlar GAA ground and then it’s on to Crossgar for the renewal of the Kilmore Rec FC hosted cross community 5 Miles race on Wednesday 10 July, the Portaferry Ten on Tuesday 16 July, the RGU 10K on 24 July, Darragh Cross 10K on Thursday 15 August and an exciting new 10K event based in Killough on Saturday 17 August. Topping off that lot is the Killyleagh 5 on Friday 30 August. So something to please and exercise everyone there without having to travel too far from home and then it will be time for the Summer break!
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