Murlough athletes to the fore in local races

2 September 2015

FRIDAY evening kicked off a very busy weekend of activity for Murlough AC with Niamh O’Connell, Paula McKibbin and husband and wife team, Leah and Geoffrey Calvert toe the line in Killyleagh.

The race takes in a mixture of road and coastal pathways around the village. First home was Niamh which gave her a podium third lady place, followed by Leah, Paula and Geoffrey completing the Mac team.

The MAC tri–team of David Stewart and Bronagh McInerney kicked off Saturday morning by completing the Mourne Triathlon which is hosted in the beautiful setting of Castlewellan Forest Park with the lake and trails and surrounding country roads utilised for the cycling section of the event.

First over the finish line was Dave Stewart in a time of 1.33.04 followed by Bronagh McInerney in 1.46.26. Well done to both Bronagh and Dave who have really taken to the tri-events again this year having completed their second race in last couple of weeks.

Amidst the Strangford Festival was the now annual 10k race. Just over 120 runners made the start line and did their best to keep the wasps away while Joe Quinn welcomed them to the village in great form using the pa to ‘let thon tractor by.

Former Northern Ireland champion junior medalist Ciara Mageean opened the race and in unusual athlete style took the time to go up and down through the runners cheering them on and encouraging them along the way in what was certainly a challenging course.

Andy spence was in early in the crowd despite the heat making it extra difficult and Alan McGowan is continuing to put in the effort to tick another 10k off his list.

Liam Smyth was the only brave soul from MAC who attempted the Bearnagh Race on Saturday morning.

After a week of heavy showers the runners were not sure what conditions lay ahead on the mountain, but as luck would have it the sun shone brightly on Saturday morning.

The course for this race takes in three peaks in under four miles — that is Meelbeg, Bearnagh and Meelmore.

Saturday also saw a charity event take place at Gosford Forest Park to celebrate the Irish record breaking final 100th marathon in 100 consecutive days run by Stevie McGeown.

The race was hosted by Born2Run Events and runners had the choice of marathon, half marathon, 10K or 5K distances, all proceeds in aid of The Laura Maguire Foundation.

There were six Murlough runners who went along to show their support Dave Fulcher, John McVeigh, Michael Power, Wendy McKeown, Jacqueline Moore, Shona Murray and Kieran Young came along and gave them all encouragement.

Jackie Moore, Shona Murray, Michael Power and his son Joe, plus Wendy McKeown, who ran her first 10k since returning from injury, all did the 10k. Hazel Crudington and her children Megan and Tom completed the 5k.

This was the first year of Storming the Castle 10k in Carrickfergus which was expertly organised by Seapark AC.

Three MAC members took part, Hazel Crudgington and Jane and Gerard Rowe. This was Hazel’s second outing over the weekend having taken part in the 100 Marathon 100 Days event along with her children Megan and Tom and who also took part in the children’s race at Storming The Castle.

The race started at Carrick Leisure centre and had a very picturesque route taking in views of the castle, marina and the lough shore.

Drummers gave a very atmospheric finish outside the Castle and first MAC home was Gerard in 49.50, closely followed by Hazel in 54.44 and Jane in 57.45.

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