It was all change at the head of the field on Saturday when in the absence of Brendan Teer, three times winner, the Dundrum Gr8 Race had its 5th outing writes Joe Quinn.
Over 700 runners of all abilities took to the roads, walkways, beach and boardwalks around the village and the Murlough Nature reserve to take on what is undoubtedly a unique event but which in spite of its scenic beauty is a deceptively difficult proposition.
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Cathy Degan, Richard Gill, Kieran McMahon and Joe Quinn after the Dundrim G8 on Saturday.[/caption]
It was left to Newcastle’s David O’Flaherty and Murlough’s Alan Johnston to take on the challenge mounted by the North Belfast duo of Mark McKinstry and Brendan Grew. And quite a job they made of it too, with McKinstry only just prevailing over O’Flaherty with Grew establishing a decisive advantage over Johnston. It was good afterwards to hear the front runners remark how tough the beach bit was, because it was even tougher back where I was, mainly because I was twice as long on it as they were.
Given the strength of the wind on the beach there was never any danger of Brendan’s record being broken and even less of anyone knocking 2 minutes off it to claim the £200 bonus on offer.
FRANCIS IN TOP 10 Times were understandably down on last year’s for the most part but Francis Tumelty proved the exception to the rule claiming an incredible 7th place in 52.52 with Dee Murray 19th in 55.39 and first Vet Over 45. Ciaran Denvir 60.17 was next East Down man home while Kieran McMahon 64.41 and Tom McClean 64.45 were among others who could be well satisfied with their performances. A great run too from George Kerr 64.53, with Richard Gill 65.40 just ahead of Gareth Kelly and Phillip Vint 66.28. Michael McKeown 68.37 was next followed by Gary Small 69.00, John Smith 70.31 and Ian McCracken 73.23.
The Ladies were ably represented by Noreen Kerr and Cathy Degan and were well supported by the East Down squad who are getting ready for the Dublin Marathon next weekend.
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East Down AC juniors who took part in the McGrady’s Financial Services Cross Country races in Tollymore on Sunday[/caption]
TAKEN SHORT Last year I wrote “maybe next year I’ll get my body out there with you as well as my soul” without too much conviction admittedly, but having entered the event some 10 weeks ago as an incentive to actually do some training, I found myself on the start line minus the training and my shorts. Well not actually without any shorts. It was pointed out to me that everyone forgets some item of running gear at some stage in their career but NEVER their shorts. Someone asked “Don’t you remember the runners check list, “Shorts, Drugs and Rock and Roll” I could certainly tick the box for item 2.
To my rescue came the lovely Marguerite who insisted that she could kit me out. I’m not sure whether her haste to do so was prompted by public decency concerns or to prevent outbreaks of hysterical laughter but whatever the motive she quickly produced a pair she described as the “go faster” version. I presume she meant run faster as opposed just go. In any event they worked on both counts. The Gr8 Dundrum Race is unique in another way too. After you run 4 miles you then run another 3 on the beach but when you re-emerge onto the road a sign says 6 Miles, 2 to go? Maths was never my strong point but I reckon that adds up to more than 8 – or is it just the wind? It doesn’t matter – it’s great to be back!
McGRADY’S FINANCIAL SERVICES JUNIOR CROSS COUNTRY SERIES Sunday afternoon and another beautiful day greeted the ever increasing numbers of children who took part in Round 2 of the McGrady’s Financial Services Junior Cross Country series in Tollymore Park.
GRIDDLE RACE – ONLINE ENTRY Next local race is the Griddle 10k and 5K Fun Run on Sunday 16 November beginning at 12 noon. Entries will be taken on the day from 10.00am onwards but Online Entry is NOW available at HYPERLINK “http://www.athleticsni.org/”www.athleticsni.org
SENIOR CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE and JUVENILE (EVEN AGE GROUP) CHAMPIONSHIPS The second round of the 9 round Cross Country League takes place on Saturday under the guise of the Bobby Rea Memorial at the University of Ulster campus in Jordanstown. An added attraction which will ensure a big turnout is the inclusion of the NI and Ulster Even Age Group Championships on the programme. The first race begins at 11.30am.
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