Newcastle AC Notes

ET Phones Home! Newcastle AC notes by Joe McCann By late afternoon and by the wonders of modern telecommunications technology, news filtered through from Albania of the finer performance of Eoghan Totten in the World Junior Fell Running Championships.  Despite being a year younger than the majority of the competitors, Eoghan turned in a five star performance to finish 24^th overall. In the blistering heat Eoghan was the first Irish athlete home and finished ahead of all but one of the Great Britain contingent.  No doubt this will spur Eoghan on to continue his running career when he moves to London to begin his degree course.  My sources tell me that he has already identified a suitable club that will nurture his talent.  We look forward to recording his progress as he competes on the mainland. Bohermeen 5 mile Road Race Kerry Harty was the only Newcastle to compete in the Bohermeen 5 mile road race.  In absolutely awful conditions, characterised by strong winds and heavy rain, Kerry performed very well and finished first lady and 10^th overall.  Her time of around 28:30 was very impressive given the conditions. Ben Nevis Twenty One hardly souls from Northern Ireland, including a posse from Newcastle AC, made the long trip to Fort William on Saturday 3^rd September for the annual race up and down Ben Nevis (Britain’s highest mountain) with 4406 feet climb (roughly one and a half times the height of Slieve Donard). The weather forecast was set for rain in the morning and to clear in the afternoon with some showers, and for once the forecasters got it right.  The race starts with a lap of a football pitch and then the runners proceed out a road for a mile past the Ben Nevis Inn (many a Newcastle athlete has been tempted to swerve into the pub and call it a day at that point!!!) at Achintee and then the real race starts! First to show for the six Newcastle AC entrants was Brendan Quail, closely followed by PJ McCrickard. Richard Bell was running his first Ben Nevis Race with stalwart Brian McBurney competing his 13th. Brian is well on his way to getting the Connochie Plaque, which is awarded for those who complete 21 Ben Nevis races. On the morning of the race, Mark Kendall arrived at 6:30am after spending a week climbing in the Dolomites so he was well prepared for the evening activities even if he was not in tip top condition for the race! First to the summit was Brendan Quail followed by PJ McCrickard and Mark Kendall. Brendan had a fantastic descent to complement his ascent and finished in a new personal best time of 1:55:23, which is a superb time given the conditions. PJ also had a great run and although was disappointed in not breaking the elusive 2hr barrier (2:00:39) he will be back for another go next year and has already sough advice from Barry Wells who has recorded 2:00:03 in the not too distant past, much to his dismay and to the annoyance of everyone who heard him repeat the time over and over incessantly for 12 hours non stop.  PJ was a little less vociferous, but was equally disappointed, given that his watch recorded a time of around 1 hour 57 minutes.  Undoubtedly the watch was shaken and the manufacturer lambasted when the moment of truth dawned! Paul Fegan feeling the exertion of the ascent took some time out at the summit to regroup, but after getting his breath back, made the long descent back into Claggan Park.  A céilidh in the Ben Nevis Inn and a supper of cheese and toast was a perfect end to a great race and weekend. Laganside 10k Only two Newcastle athletes, Brensamantha (our version of Brangelina!), competed at the Laganside 10k on September 4^th.  Despite rumours that they may hold hands throughout, Brendan ran a very respectable 39:29 while Samantha set a new PB in recording 46:59 to finish 9^th lady overall.  No doubt both will be competing at the Mill Hill Mile before they join forces to compete in the C category of the Mourne Mountain 2 day marathon next weekend. Samantha’s dad, Deon, will also be participating as he and the ‘Big Fella’s Fella aim to defend their title.  Spurred on by his recent exploits on land and sea, McNeilly has Eamon training flat out in preparation for the event.  Eamon, who is a man renowned for having a busy schedules is rumoured to be forgoing sleep in an attempt to keep up with the schedule set by his running svengali.  The Big Fella reports that covert tapering sessions are now taking place.  These sessions are so covert that Mata Hari would have difficulty in locating the boys, if she were still operational. Marty celebrates 60 in style It is difficult to believe that the youthful Marty McVeigh has reached the milestone of 60 years young.  He may run like a 80 year old, but he presently cycles like a 20 year old.  To celebrate this major life moment, Marty travelled to the Pyrenees to complete a 700km ride in four and a half days. This continues the amazing feats of cycling that Marty has managed since replacing his two tonne gate of a machine for something more modern – in fact such is its modernity that ‘Oggy’ is reported to have commented, ‘she’s a good one alright!.’  Marty, usually a quiet shrinking violet with little to say, completed the arduous trek through some of Europe’s highest terrain in speedy quick time and crossed the threshold of 60 as the miles rolled by. Well done to Marty who will no doubt be welcomed with open arms and generous words of congratulations by all his friends at Shimna Wheelers CC.  After all the exertions of the past week, he will probably be dying for a big Ulster fry (vegetarian of course!!!)]]>