Disappointing turn-out mars Killough event

Disappointing turn-out mars Killough event

16 September 2015

THE decision to move the second running of the Shore 10K in Killough to the 11th night proved a master stroke last year with the entries almost doubling over the first year.  

However, due to circumstances outside the control of the organisers, this year’s event was postponed until last Saturday and the reverse happened with only 50 runners attracted to the venue. This was indeed a very disappointing turnout, even allowing for the suggested effect of participation in Friday night’s Lions Five Mile Race in Newtownards, which in any event turned out to be a red herring, given that none of the local clubs had any runners in that race. 

For comparison purposes I think it is reasonable to look at the aforementioned Race in Ards on Friday which had over 50 runners from Ballydrain Harriers, the promoting club, while The Shore race had less than 20 from East Down AC. 

Surely Brendan Teer, East Down’s top runner and the man responsible for putting and keeping East Down on the map for several years and the man behind this race, deserved better support?

Perhaps some may question my criticism as I was not there either, the postponement resulting in me having a prior engagement on Saturday, though I left the event in the very capable hands of Mags Mathieson, who received tremendous support on the day from Sinead, Daniel, Alison, Paul, Frank, Michael, Gareth and his wife, Russell and Max, the PSNI and the good ladies who supplied and served the food afterwards, I am indebted to you all.

And a special word of thanks to everyone that I have omitted from this list, as I undoubtedly have, your contribution is appreciated and priceless. 

That the race enjoyed the participation of top class athlete Brian Leahy from Raheny Shamrocks and Brendan Teer must have been disappointed that his lead car driving duties prevented him from taking him on. 

The field also included Ciaran McCaffrey all the way from Clones, who attends almost all East Down’s promotions throughout the year and surely indicates that the message is out there.  

It was fitting that Leahy, having travelled so far, was able to clinch a comfortable victory in 33.20 from Ballyrain’s Gareth Lyons (36.41), who was 4th last year, with East Down’s Francis Tumelty (37.44) in 3rd. 

Dee Murray (39.17) was next East Down man home with Mark O’Connor (40.13) and Michael Barton (40.22) from Ballydrain Harriers making up the top 10 finishers.

Laura Graham, as yet unaffiliated, was 3rd overall and first lady home in 37.40 with the host club’s Catherine O’ Connor (39.48) in second and Niamh Kellett (42.07) in third place. 

The race was also significant in two other respects.

It marked the debut under the club banner of Robert Miskelly, who happily replaces me as our most senior member, and 

was comfortably under the hour 59.52 in the over 70 category.  

Secondly, it also gave local man Wayne Giles his first ever win in any race, as he took the over 55 prize in 49.34.

To say he was delighted would be an understatement and he may well become a new member.

The Belfast City Half Marathon is the big event at the weekend and should bring some excitement to the normally quiet Sunday streets, starting as it does on the Ormeau Embankment at 9am.