Big turn-out at Newcastle

Big turn-out at Newcastle

25 July 2012

THE inaugural Sea 2 Sky took place on Friday evening and hundreds of runners and quite a few walkers descended on the town for the occasion.

The race, which was organised by Born2Run Events in association with Newcastle Chamber of Commerce, was the first of its kind and clearly captured the imagination of runners and walkers from all over Ireland as well as further afield.

A total of 471 registered for the race which goes to show that there really is an appetite for events of this nature.

Born2Run Events’ motto is Great Races in Great Places and Newcastle delivered on both counts.

After weeks of rain, the weather conditions on Friday last were idyllic for this varied and at some times challenging, multi-terrain course. U105 were on the promenade with their jeeps blasting out music which added a real sense of atmosphere to the evening.

The walkers started an hour ahead of the runners at 6.30pm. Tim Hodnett’s Nordic walking experience stood to him ensuring that he was the first of the walkers to finish in 1.26.

In the runners’ race it was Adam Boyd from Belfast (unaffiliated) who was first man home in 35.43 followed by Seamus Lynch (Team Purple) in 37.58 and Michael King (Murlough AC) in 38.28.

The women’s’ race was won by Virginia Ervine (Mourne Runners) in 46.05 second place was Dearbhla Magee (Newcastle AC) 46.31 and in 3rd place Helen Weir (North Belfast Harriers) 46.53.

Podium 4 Sport in Belfast sponsored the prizes and all winners received a Born2Run T-shirt as well as their prize. Dromara & Drumgooland Credit Union sponsored the race numbers.

Thirty-one clubs were represented at the event as well as hundreds of unaffiliated runners. Murlough AC was undoubtedly the best represented club on the night with 29 of their members taking part.

All finishers were rewarded with a beautiful commemorative medal as well as a post race snack-pack supplied by The Barbican Super Valu.

Registration and post race refreshments were held in O’Hare’s Lounge Bars and some of the finishers were seen leaving the premises in the wee small hours, still sporting their medals.

The Newcastle Coastguard helped out with the marshalling as did the PSNI and the Newcastle Scouts.

Tracy Gilpin, one of the runners who took part, commented that it was the best marshalling she’d seen at any race, bar none.

All in all, a great evening’s sport was enjoyed by all those who took part. The carnival atmosphere and support along the promenade was fantastic and the organisers Born2Run Events look forward to doing it all again next year when it promises to be even bigger and better.