ROLLERCOASTER RACES
The big question on the organisers lips last Saturday morning was ‘Would the weather affect the numbers of schoolchildren who traditionally come to Downpatrick Racecourse every year for the Rollercoaster races’? writes Joe Quinn.
Wind and rain were not only forecast but present from early morning and with no trace of the Mournes to be seen it was not looking good. But we should have known better – these were for the most part Primary School kids who turn up, shiver, complain and then run their socks off!! And they did it in record numbers again with 265 Boys and Girls from P3 upwards take on the Primary School and Junior age group races. No prima donna tantrums from anyone despite some delays in getting the races started – it always seems worse when the rain is starting to seep down the back of your neck doesn’t it? – and everyone connected with the club was of the opinion that every one of the children deserved a medal for just turning up.
P3 BOYS AND GIRLS – 400 METRES
The P3 Girls were led home by Sarah Derby-Murray Loughview IPS, in her first ever race, setting the standard for her older school friends in the later races, followed by Isabelle Prenter and Erin Moore. Jack Hynds performed a similar role in the P3 Boys race for Our Lady and St Patrick’s Primary Downpatrick, followed closely by the ever improving Alex Robinson East Down and Isaac McAlinden also of Our Lady and St Patrick’s.
P4 RACES – 500 METRES
In the P4 Boys race Leo Madine East Down sprinted up the hill to take the P4 Boys 500 metres race just minutes after his clubmate Jodi Foster took the P4 Girls title, with Cedar’s Harry Fitzsimons in second and Shea Holland getting St Patrick’s Legamaddy onto the podium for the first time on the day. Colleen Allister All Children’s IPS, Newcastle was second ahead of Loughview’s Sarah Van Der Linde.
P5 GIRLS AND BOYS – 500 METRES
The question in the P5 Girls race was “Could Jana Pobloth of All Children’s IPS make it a hat trick of victories following her wins in the P3 and P4 categories in 2014 and 2015? As ever Jana ran very well but was outsprinted by Grace Prenter and Erin Cross from Loughview – but a stirring effort nonetheless.
The Boys race was won by Elijah Rutherford from his Loughview classmate Finn Cross with Jake Harding third.
PRIMARY SCHOOL TEAM SHIELDS – 1,000 METRES
The biggest field of the day saw 56 Girls line up at the 1K mark for the P6/7 race, and from the gun it was East Down’s Lauren Madine who set the pace and maintained her shape and composure to cross the line first ahead of Loughview’s Lily Moore and North Down’s Hollie Massey. Lily’s efforts combined with Rachel Derby- Murray 5th, Emily Duff 7th and Beth Johnston 13th enabled Loughview to once again to claim the East Down Shield for first team.
In the Boys race, it was Mackenzie Murray Cedar IPS (and also East Down) who gained consolation from last year when he stormed home 9 seconds clear of the second placed boy, Criosstoir Browne of Beechmount Harriers with Loughview’s Zac McMullan placing 3rd.the John McKeag Shield from Loughview IPS,
The John McKeag Shield for best team was retained by Our Lady and St Patrick’s Primary School, their scoring quartet being Lewis Green 5th , Donal Milligan 10th , Paul Carberry 11th and Ben Hynds14th , making a total of 40 points though they were a mere 4 points better than All Children’s IPS Newcastle who recorded 44 points. Perhaps next year for them?
The Shield and trophies for both team competitions were as ever generously sponsored by Honorary Life Member, the sprightly 93 year old John McKeag.
AGE 13 and UNDER – NEW KID ON THE BLOCK?
In the Boys Under 13 race East Down’s newly arrived member George McBratney took the honours, c winning in fine style and thus condemning last year’s runner up Rory Hall-Thompson Orangegrove to a similar fate this year again, with Pearce Short Beechmount in 3rd .
In the Girls equivalent it was Newcastle’s Eve Kennealy who took the honours ahead of North Down’s Megan Briggs and 3rd placed Ciara Morgan.
AGE 15 and UNDER – MATTHEW AND HANNAH STAR
The Boys age 15 and under race was won in impressive style by East Down’s Mathew McGrattan who was 16 seconds clear of 2nd placed Eoghan O’Callaghan Newry AC and Beechmount’s Aodan Short. Perhaps the biggest cheer of the day greeted Adam Morgan’s arrival at the finish line, another great effort from this most dedicated and inspirational of runners.
The Girls race in this category went to East Down’s Hannah Gilliland who is in the form of her life just now, from club mate Ella Carroll, though only 2 girls in this category was the one disappointing note on the day.
DAVID TOPS IN 5K
In the Senior 5K Brendan Teer lined out against Newcastle’s David O’Flaherty, posing the question off how his recovery from the Dublin marathon experience was progressing. The verdict? Very well it would seem for although David reversed last year’s placings emphatically there was enough in the East Down man’s performance to suggest that he is rapidly getting back to top form. That plus a 27.03 time in last weekend’s Raheny 5 Miles road race would indicate his rivals should beware! Having said that who can deny that David is a worthy and deserving winner having finished second in each of the past 2 years. Over 35 winner was Ballydrain’s Gareth Lyons while Orangegrove’s Robin Montgomery took the Over 45 category and Norman Mawhinney Ballydrain, the Over 55 prize for the third year in a row.
REBECCA SCORES FOR DROMORE AGAIN
In the Ladies Race another new name was added to the winner’s list even though it was the same person who won it last year, Rebecca Murtagh from Dromore having since become Rebecca Henderson with Gerrie Short from Beechmount in second AGAIN and Catherine O’Connor East Down in third place.
Alison Gilliland from the host club, was first Over 35 Lady while
Trudy Brown from Orangegrove picked up the Over 45 prize and Ruth Perioli Lagan Valley won the Over 50s.
UNDER 20’s
Daniel Molloy won this category, holding off his friend Jack Quinn, with Aoife Cochrane taking on the 2 plus laps for the first time and claiming the Ladies prize with an excellent time of 23.16.
THANKS
A huge debt of thanks is owed to all who braved the elements on Saturday, to the registrars, the sound men, the marshals and officials and to Caitriona from Wrap’ N’ Roll who provided for everyone what one Orangegrove runner described as “the tastiest soup I’ve had in a long time”
McDONALD’S MEDALS
Special thanks to the local McDonalds restaurant which sponsored the medals for all the children who took part. Very much appreciated.
ORANGEGROVE AC’s DAY OUT
A very special mention has to bee made of the Orangegrove Club which provided almost half of the entrants in the Senior 5K race. A total of 40 runners in their vivid orange vests lit up a grey day like it was mid Summer. Thank You – We enjoyed your company and hope you’ll come visit again.
BEN DEARG COAST 10K
Sunday 28February brings us once again to St Malachy’s Park in Kilclief for the annual 10K along the beautiful coastline to Ballyhornan and back, one of the most scenic races in the country.
The race begin at 1.00pm and with great post race refreshments provided all local runners are invited along to enjoy the scenery and the hospitality.
All entries taken on the day. Enquiries to:
Wattersonpatrick@aol.com
