Excellent displays as runners enjoy Ballykinlar event

Excellent displays as runners enjoy Ballykinlar event

10 July 2013

ALMOST perfect conditions welcomed the runners in the popular 5k and 10k races in Greyabbey on Friday.

Record turnouts in both events saw almost 250 runners take to the pleasant country roads.

Michael Cultra was more than pleased to post a pb 38.54, Liam Keenan, reliable as ever, clocked 39.25 and Michael McKeown, at 42.06, was half a minute quicker than last year. Chris O’Connor, 20.12, took fifth place overall in the 5K race and continues to improve with every outing.

Neil McCartan celebrated his new status as doting uncle in fine style in Santry on Saturday when he set a new pb for the 800 metres with a time of 1.58.

Sunday brought even more heat to welcome the first running of the Ballykinlar GAC promoted 10K and 5K walk in support of the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children, which though permitted as a road race was in fact more of a day on the beach.

By kind permission of landowner David Corbett, the route swiftly left the hazards of traffic on the roads and made its way through the estate to the shores of Dundrum Bay.

Watched with some amusement by the dozens of seals parked along the water’s edge, almost 100 runners ploughed their own furrows along the occasionally yielding sand to emerge again on the Shore Road alongside the military base.

This was indeed a tough race, but such were the stunning views across the bay to the magnificent Mountains of Mourne, and perhaps the concentration required to avoid the ebbing tide, that not one complaint did I hear from anyone.

Indeed, the ladies in particular were fulsome in their praise for the course and this augurs well for future years.

The winner in a time which really brings into focus the difficulty of the terrain was East Down’s Brendan Teer (inset) in a time of 38.25, around six minutes slower than his best, from Newcastle’s David O’Flaherty with another East Down man Barrie Atkinson in third.

First lady home was Orangegrove’s Louise Lemon from the Dromore duo of Susan Smyth and Helen McCartan. East Down’s Lisa Milligan took the over 40 prize with the over 50 award to Murlough’s Anne McCormick.

Thomas Leitch from Orangegrove was first male over 40 with Lagan Valley’s evergreen Terry Eakin taking the over 50 prize.

So, a tremendously successful day all round made even sweeter by the generous sponsorship of local Vivo Store manager Rory Magorrian in conjunction with Henderson’s which provided goodie bags to all participants.

There was also a great community atmosphere about the place and thanks go to all who helped in any way for this most worthy of causes.

Tonight sees the second running of the Five Mile Community Race and Fun Run organised by Kilmore Rec FC and hopefully runners will have read this reminder in time to get to the start line in Crossgar for the 7.30pm start.

Then it’s the Portaferry 10 Mile Race on July 16 — the sporting highlight of Gala week.