Downpatrick’s mean streets tough going

Downpatrick’s mean streets tough going

21 March 2012

WHO said the longest day falls in June? Sunday was another beautiful day in Downpatrick with heat in the sun after the early morning frost had retreated to a cooler corner.

Jimmy’s Ten began from a new location, courtesy of Asda, on the Ballydugan Road as East Down AC sought to give runners a more benign introduction to the county town , while retaining the delights of the climb up English Street and the encircling of the Cathedral.

The runners were enthusiastically welcomed by the Asda manager and staff and a sincere thanks is due to them. Hopefully this venue will become the permanent start line for the event, which is now in its 14th year.

The race soon developed into a titanic contest between Greg Roberts, from City of Derry Spartans, Joe McAlister, the four-time winner, and local star Brendan Teer.

To his credit, Roberts was unfazed by his distinguished company and had established a significant lead at half distance.

But McAlister knows this course like the back of his hand and worked his way back until he struck inside the final kilometre to win by probably the shortest margin in the history of the race.

Roberts was just two seconds back in second place, thus emulating the feat of clubmate Diarmuid Grant last year. Teer recorded his best ever placing in the race — he finished third, 80 seconds behind Roberts.

For the third year in a row North Belfast’s Eamon White finished in fourth place and took the Over 40 prize again.

Gladys Ganiel O’Neill proved worthy of her favourite billing in the ladies’ race, completing a three-timer 11 years after her first win and improving her winning time of two years ago by 16 seconds to 35.31; In second place was Dromore’s Julie Turley, who was also the runner-up last year. And in another deja vu moment North Down’s Julie Balmer repeated last year’s third place.

Special guest Gerry Duffy, though a minute slower than last year, improved his position by two places to come home 34th. One place and one second ahead of Gerry came East Down’s Mark McGrady in a splendid 39.09 to clinch the U-20 category.

After Brendan Teer the next best East Down man was Declan Teague, who gave a sign of his readiness for the London Marathon in a month’s time with a comfortable-looking personal best 38.42, one second ahead of Stephen Shannon. Ryan Hagen finished strongly to break 40 minutes and Martin Willcox led the 40 minute group home in perfect time.

Personal bests too for Gavin Oakes and Gerard McAuley and a special well done to Aoife Cochrane, her mum Oonagh and Sharon Connor, who all completed their first races over this distance. Full details on all East Down performances next week.

At the closing of the prize-giving the £700 holiday voucher was won by Mags Mathieson. Thanks are extended to Down Council vice-chairman Liam Johnston for his attendance, the marshals and everyone who helped at registration and with the post race refreshments, Athletics NI officials, M. B. McGrady & Co., Chartered Accountants, main sponsors, and the other event sponsors, Down Council, Dupes DVD and Video Duplication, Translink, Plus2Print, Wrap and Roll and Flowers by Tracey.

Special thanks are due to the staff of Down Leisure Centre, who worked so hard to assist the smooth running of events in the centre, and the PSNI personnel who contributed significantly to the success of the race by their presence around the course.