THE SHORE 10K for NAISCOIL CHILL LOCHA The decision to move the second running of the Shore 10K in Killough to the 11th night proved a master stroke as the entries almost doubled over last year, 128 runners taking up the challenge on what was an ideal evening. The local clubs turned out in force with great attendances from Ballydrain Harriers 17 and Murlough 21 with Newcastle AC also. It was also good to see the first appearance of members from the newly formed Crossgar Harriers club with Gary Carville 41.51 best of their quartet of runners. No doubt we will be seeing more of them in the coming weeks and months and East Down AC wish them Good Luck writes Joe Quinn.
LEADING THE WAY This year, the driving force behind the event, local man and star runner Brendan Teer, forsook the lead car he drove last year but proceeded to lead the field anyway, coming home a comfortable winner in 32.34 ahead of the North Down duo of Stephen Wylie and Dennis Scott. Garteh Lyons Ballydrain in overall 4th place took the Over 35 prize while Lisburn’s Dave Lonnen, 5th man home was the winner in the Over 45 category.
Catherine O’ Connor translated her Hill and Dale form smoothly to the roads as she set a new pb of 39.29 in winning convincingly from Gateshead’s Caroline O’Hare (she’s one of us really, just loaned out while she’s studying medieval torture methods, otherwise referred to as physiotherapy, in the other Newcastle) with Ballydrain’s Fiona Johnston, 5th overall was first in the Over 45 category in a new pb of 42.27 and Dromore’s Susan Smyth claiming the Over 35 award.
Gerard McAuley and Raymond Milligan both improved their times from 2013 setting new pbs of 41.15 and 41.25 respectively, while there were good performances from Dee Murray 38.28, Michael Cultra 37.04, James Savage 36.44, Ciaran Denvir 40.59 and Dermot Cahill 42.36. Cheryl Denvir was only slightly slower than last year while Richard Gill, in a rare appearance, showed the benefits of local knowledge with a 44.42 return. Tom McClean made a satisfactory comeback after a long lay off and John Manley took over 2 minutes off his last year’s time. Others making welcome appearances were Ian McCracken, Denis McKay, Colm McNeill, Sharon Carew and Mark Johnston and with several local events still to come it is hoped that Friday night will have re-kindled their competitive instincts for the coming weeks.
NEIL SETS THE PACE AGAIN Meanwhile, a little further south Neil McCartan was taking part in the Morton Games in Santry stadium and after his impeccable pace making run last week at the international meeting at Mary Peters Track he was clearly in the groove. This time he ran the full 2 laps to set a splendid new pb of 1.55.13 in the 800 metres race.
COMING UP There are a number of events coming up in the next few weeks which all local runners will not want to miss. On Tuesday 22 July the Portaferry Gala 10 Mile and 2 x 5 Mile Relay takes place at 7.30pm, followed on 30 July by the ever popular RGU 10K and 2 x 5K Relay. Monday 4th August it’s Crossgar for the Kilmore FC promoted 5 Miles race over an exciting and potentially fast new course, starting and finishing in the Monastery grounds – prayers optional. On Thursday 14th t the action switches to Darragh Cross for the annual 10K and 3 Mile Fun Run while Sunday 18th introduces a new race, the Bright Run which includes a 5K Fun Run with a main event 10K from Bright Community Centre at 1.00pm. And there’s more – but details next week.
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