Fantastic weather greets runners for Newcastle sizzler

Fantastic weather greets runners for Newcastle sizzler

24 July 2013

THE second annual Sea 2 Sky 10K race took place in Newcastle last Friday evening.

Hundreds of runners from all over Northern

Ireland as well as much further afield started arriving from as early as 5pm for registration in the Newcastle Centre.

Newcastle was reminiscent of a European holiday destination with the sun beating down on the glistening sea and holiday makers making the most of the fantastic weather.

The evening kicked off with a walkers race at 6.30pm.

Among them was the ever smiling Tommy Carlin, 80 years young, who also completed the race last year.

Michael and Julie Power also completed the event. Michael, who usually runs with Murlough AC and is recovering from injury, opted to accompany his wife on this occasion. The walkers race was won by three ladies, Gail Owen, Diane Woods and Sharon Wilson, who all crossed the finish line together.

The PSNI and U105 Jeeps led the hundreds of runners from the promenade on to the main street and out the coast road. They then turned right onto King Street before making their entrance into the forest for the long slow climb to the turning point.

Given the temperature, this section of the route proved to be quite a challenge. However, the reward came in the form of spectacular views over Newcastle once they had reached the top.

As everyone knows, what goes up must come down and the second half of the race was all downhill, taking the runners back into town via Tipperary Wood and through the park before the final leg along the promenade to the finish line.

The support on the promenade was wonderful as the crowds cheered and clapped as the first of the runners came into view.

Don Travers, of Newry City Runners, was the winner in 36.39, six seconds clear of local Newcastle AC athlete David O’Flaherty. Paul Carlin, of St. John’s GAC, completed the trio on the men’s podium by coming third in 37.33.

The women’s race was won by Catriona McCorkell, of Lagan Valley AC, in 42.28, followed by Claire Prenter, of North Belfast Harriers, in 42.40 and Catherine O’Connor, of East Down AC.

All of the winners and category winners received prizes sponsored by Podium 4 Sport and all finishers in the race received a medal to commemorate their achievement. Goodie bags were supplied by Barbican Super Valu.

All finishers were rewarded with a cold non-alcoholic Erdinger beer before making their way across the road to O’Hare’s for a BBQ. Many of the runners took advantage of the post race massage and many more waded into the tide for a cool down at the end of the race giving their tired leg muscles a chance to recover.

Organisers Born2Run would like to thank U105 for attending the event and adding to the fantastic festival atmosphere on the promenade. They would also like to thank Dromara & Drumgooland Credit Union, the PSNI, Coastguard, Marie Curie Donard Fundraising Group, Essence, The Gold Rose, the Order of Malta and all their helpers and marshals who did a fantastic job.

Born2Run’s next event, Dambusters, takes place in the Silent Valley on August 31. For more information go to www.born2runevents.com