Liam surges to super win

Liam surges to super win

5 September 2012

LIAM Venney of East Down AC was the convincing winner of the 25th Mill Hill Mile run in perfect conditions on Monday.

With a record 139 athletes of all ages, shapes and sizes on display and the hill between Annsborough and Castlewellan lined with spectators, Venney was joined in an early break by his club mate and rival Brendan Teer and Newcastle’s Iain Bailey.

It was Teer who wilted under the relentless pace in the closing stages of the race, leaving Bailey as the main challenger. Venney pressed home his advantage and won with plenty to spare, recording a very credible 5:33, one of the fastest times in recent years.

Bailey finished second in 6:03, while a fading Teer held off the late surge of Seamus White to retain a podium finish.

Joanne Mills had an impressive race to be first lady home, clocking 7:03 and finishing 15th overall. After the race she paid great tribute to her official pacemaker Donal Ward.

In the minutes that followed, the athletes came in thick and fast, with everyone home in just over 13 minutes. Among the older competitors John Kelly (V45) was a very impressive 10th overall in 6:45, Pascal Toner (V50) 12th in 6:57 and Alan Johnston (V40) 14th in 7:01.

Those less advanced in years were equally well represented with 16 year-olds Patrick Sheridan (6:25) and Timothy McCracken (6:39) fifth and eighth overall respectively.

Dearbhla Magee was the first female junior finisher in 7:44, with 12 year-old Chris O’Connor a little further back, but still comfortably under eight minutes.

Gary Cairns made an impressive start in his bid to be the first Annsborian to win the race, setting a blistering pace as far as the Clarkhill Road, but alas his early challenge petered out.

However, he did hold on to beat Declan Rice in the battle to be their first finisher and set the official record for competitors from the start village of 8:11.

Team Burrendale were out in force, with honours just about even between Gina’s gals and Curry’s cubs. Chris Lill was first Team Burrendale man home in a mighty impressive 7:21 with Monica McCrickard first Team Burrendale lady in 9:21.

Thanks to everyone who took up the challenge and took on the climb.

Finally, a word of thanks to the spectators who turned out in such huge numbers to cheer all the athletes home.