Brendan takes top place in Three Lakes race

Brendan takes top place in Three Lakes race

15 May 2013

EAST Down AC was awash with heroes after their performances in the recent Belfast Marathon on Bank Holiday Monday.

Liam Keenan ran a superb and inspirational 2.59 to celebrate his first half century.

He’s developing a habit of running a sub 3 hour marathon every 30 years or so.

Declan Teague completed the course in 3.11, a new PB for him if he hadn’t already clocked 3.7 a week previously in Madrid, and the prolific Michael McKeown’s 3.22.04 was just seconds ahead of Michael Cultra’s 3.22.40, an outstanding 17 minutes faster than last year.

Gerard McAuley broke the 3.30 barrier for the first time with 3.29.56, thus knocking 12 minutes off last year’s time.

Cheryl Denvir, ecstatic with 3.33 and getting her photo in the paper next day too, led the ladies’ challenge.

Stephen Heasley’s 3.41 was a massive 37 minutes quicker than 2012, Raymond Milligan attracted the attention too with a 3.43 clocking having given up chips en route, having enjoyed the London Marathon challenge two weeks ago.

Simon McGrattan, having recovered from his tummy bug of two weeks ago, came home in 3.51, over an hour inside his London experience and Gavin Oakes, another fresh from his London exertions, paced the four hour group which included a happy Paul Rogan to an enviable personal best 3.58.

John Findlay, training for another long distance event was perfectly satisfied with 4.09.

Fast forward a mere five days and several of the marathon heroes were racing again, this time in the brand new 3 Lakes Challenge over 14K and 7K promoted by the Downpatrick Lions Club with all proceeds donated to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association to help train a guide dog.

The longer event attracted a good quality field of 60 runners with some 20 taking on the 7K route.

The weather was changeable to say the least, with sunshine, wind and squally showers in equal measure.

However, there is no doubt that participants were treated to some of the most picturesque scenery that this, or indeed any other part of County Down, can offer.

Starting from the Lakeside Inn at 11am, Brendan Teer was first back just over 45 minutes later to sample the generous hospitality of genial hosts Geoffrey and Margaret Ferguson.

As the runners returned, the sun came out and warmed the enthusiastic spectators who gave great vocal welcomes to all the finishers.

After Brendan came Annadale’s Paul Carroll followed by East Down’s Martin Willcox with Murlough’s Alan Johnston and Dundrum South Dublin’s Pat McCavana dead-heating in a tremendous surge to the line, but picking up the over 40 and over 50 trophies respectively.

Gavin Oakes, Raymond Milligan and Simon McGrattan all showed no after effects from Monday’s marathon and indeed looked like they could have gone round again.

The ladies too was a quality contest with top fell and mountain runner, Karen Alexander from Sperrin Harriers, taking first place ahead of East Down’s Catherine O’Connor with Alison Carroll in 3rd showing husband Paul that the talent is shared in their house.

Linda Cunningham took the over 40 trophy and Murlough’s Anne George the over 50 crown.

Sandra Hassan 31.26 from Seaforde Rookies was an impressive winner on the 7K run with East Down junior Chris O’Connor taking the male trophy in a time of 32.10.

Downpatrick Lions Club wish to thank all those who took part in the races, East Down AC officials, everyone who helped at registration, all the marshals, the PSNI, Linwoods Dairy Products and the Lakeside Inn for making the race such a success.

It is their intention to make this a permanent fixture on the running calendar and are confident that as word spreads it will become even more popular next year.

A notable contribution came from East Down’s 10 year-old James Byrne in his first outing as a finish line official.

His clear figure work on the finish order sheets was of great assistance in the prompt production of the results, a special word of thanks to him.

A little later in the day, 138 hardy souls left the centre of Newcastle en route for the top of Slieve Donard, where by all accounts there is still snow lying, the mud is shin deep and the hailstones razor-edged.

This year marked a first for Mark McDowell, and from the look in his eyes, possibly a last as well, but haven’t we all felt the same?

He finished in a very creditable 1.23, followed 10 minutes later by Brian Wilson, the only other competitor to sport the East Down colours.