Another busy week has gone by for local runners writes Joe Quinn and Alison Carroll.
FIELDS OF LIFE 5K ON 9th JUNE
I must begin with an apology for omitting Catherine O’ Connor’s fine run last week in the Field of Life 5K in Stormont Estate when she not only won the Ladies race but was 2nd overall finisher in 20.03. I had seen her result but completely overlooked it when compiling the report.
NEW FORGE 5K
Callum Kent entered the New Forge 5k on Wednesday past and tackled the route from New Forge in Belfast with great gusto despite the windy wet conditions. He was 6th overall and 3rd Open Male in a time of 20.21.
NDAC MINIS
Matthew Taylor headed to Bangor to the NDAC Minis Event to see what was what on the track after seeing all the reports of other Juniors in the last few weeks. It was a terrible night to make a debut but he managed to come home with a silver medal in the shot putt. Super stuff Matthew!
DROMARA 5K
The Fosters family gave a good representation in this event with Davy Foster in 6th place in 19.28 and his daughters not far behind. Kirsti was 3rd female overall in 20.22 and Lucy was 20.59 and second in the Female 12-15 place since Kirsti was first in that category. Another memory lapse on my part here again as I had intended to go to Dromara to watch this race, which is a particular favourite of mine, though sadly unable to compete this year due to injury. I’m afraid that it was the victim of another senior moment!
NI&ULSTER AGE GROUP TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
On to Saturday and the Under-14 to Under-17 Age Group Championships at Mary Peter’s Track on Saturday.
LAUREN QUALIFIES IN 2 EVENTS and SETS 2 NEW PBs
This is a top level event but suffers in the older categories by being plumb in the middle of school exams and so it was that only the younger members were able to tackle the NI Championships with conviction. In qualifying 2nd in her U14 Girls 200m heat Lauren Madine set a new pb of 28.32 and took the bronze medal in a hotly contested final in 28.35
She also collected a bronze medal in the Long Jump with a jump of 4.38m. which was another pb and only 10mms outside the Silver medal position. Not a bad day out and in this form who can doubt she will bring home at least one medal from the All Ireland’s in July?
KIRSTI QUALIFIES TOO, BUT MACKENZIE AND IONA PLEASED WITH THEIR EFFORTS.
Another bronze medal was lifted by Kirsti Foster in the U14 800m. She was involved in a close race for podium but had a clear lead over 4th. Her time of 2.28 is a PB by 1 second. All the more impressive given the large field of 24 which was split into 2 races and the medals therefore decided on times. She has also qualified for the All Ireland’s. Mackenzie Murray had tough competition in his U15 category for the 800m but came a respectable 11 out of 20. An encouraging performance. Iona Bunbury took part in the long jump as well as the U15 80m Hurdles. It was her first attempt at hurdles at championship level and she was pleased with 4th overall.
WELL DONE TO EVERYONE FROM EAST DOWN WHO TOOK PART !
HILL & DALE ROUND 9 LISA STARS IN THE MEELS (THURS)
Lisa Milligan is one of those quiet and unassuming runners who is happy to go with the flow but in the Hill and Dales she has found a sweet spot, improving week on week and surprising herself by how much she has enjoyed the series. This week was a definite high point when she won her age category to become the newest star in East Down’s ladies line up. So take a bow Lisa, this is worth celebrating!
50 NOT OUT
Declan Teague, who I thought was still enjoying the good life in the South Atlantic, achieved his goal of completing 50 marathons by age 50 when he squeezed in his 50th today. Not only that but he came an impressive 7th place overall, clocking 3.21 in the race, the Thoroughbred Run held at the National Stud in Kildare over a 2 lap course and he managed a negative split as a result of some canny pacing. The jury is still out on how come he celebrated his 50th birthday a year earlier than the 50th marathon? Perhaps I’m not the only one suffering from memory lapses? But then who cares about these minor technicalities?
There was also a 10K race on at the same venue and newly joined member Donal Smith turned out for that and showed that his attendance at the club sessions is having great effect by churning out a 48 minute finish. He described everything about the race as “Super” so he’ll need no encouragement to keep at it.
SHORE 10K FOR PIPS and RGU 10K FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS SQUAD
It is with some considerable relief that we have been able to announce that the Shore 10K in Killough will go ahead on 11th July at 7.30pm with proceeds to the PIPs charity and that the RGU 10K and 2 x 5K Relay will take place on Wednesday 25 July at 7.30pm. The event this year is being promoted to raise funds for the Co. Down Special Olympics squad so please give it your support.
Online entry is open now for both a:t www.athleticsni.org
and although entries will be taken on the night for both it helps greatly if as many as possible have pre-entered.
A big turnout is expected for these very worthy causes.
PORTAFERRY 10 MILES AND 2 X 5 MILES RELAY
Similarly the entries for the Portaferry 10 Mile Road Race on Tuesday 17th July are open and early registration is recommended as only the first 300 entrants are guaranteed a special Portaferry Gala mug. So don’t delay! On the night entries will cost more too!
