Record entry for GR8 Run

Record entry for GR8 Run

21 October 2015

WITH a beautiful sunrise lighting the sky over Murlough Bay on Saturday morning it was hard to imagine how the day could be anything other than perfect. 

Since its launch in 2010, The GR8 Dundrum Run has grown every year and this year was no exception. Over 900 registered to take part and on the day 841 runners lined the streets of Dundrum in anticipation of the start gun. 

Conditions for the race were perfect, a huge relief to those who had taken part last year with a shocking head wind on the entire stretch of beach from Dundrum to Murlough. 

Adam Mitten, from Newcastle’s Go Figure, prepared the runners with a sharp warm up and Pamela Ballantine cheered on the crowd. The runners were ready for the off. 

Heading towards Newcastle and round the Old Dundrum Road, competitors quickly took advantage of the pacers introduced for the first time this year.

Grouping down into time zones, it was soon very much a race with some runners already making their way onto The Cut while others approached the hill on the Old Road. 

Coming off the boardwalk to the beach, dread and fear was written all over the faces of many. 

A little over two miles of sand faces the runners, lucky enough on the day the sand was perfect to run on for the majority of the stretch. 

This part of the course is one of the main reasons the race has become so popular. The sea sweeping in, the view of the beach and for those brave enough to look ahead the view of the Mournes. scenery which is simply breathtaking.

As they turned off the beach runners were met with a lovely stretch of boardwalk, a shock to the legs having endured the sand. In no time the marshals could be heard cheering and the water station at mile six proved a popular pit stop, an opportunity to refresh and prepare for what lay ahead.

Passing motorists took the opportunity to cheer on runners as they raced from Murlough Nature Reserve back in towards Dundrum. 

The toot of horns put a smile on everyone’s face and it is this kind of encouragement which really helps get those last couple of miles in. The young African drummers from Assumption Grammar school also provided fantastic encouragement on the home straight.

Coming into Dundrum the streets were still lined with fellow runners, families, friends and public. A spectacular atmosphere, the cheer was fantastic welcoming every runner over the line where they finally got their hard earned GR8 Dundrum medal. 

Brennan’s Dundrum kindly sponsored free ice cream for all runners this year. The queue was crazy, but the ice creams were a huge hit. 

This year’s winner was Andrew Annett, of North Belfast Harriers in 45.29, a full six seconds ahead of Mourne runner William McKee. Lindsay Gordon, also of NBH, came in third in 46.02.

Breege Connolly (North Belfast Harriers) was the winner of the ladies’ race, setting a new ladies’ course record at 49.09. Former winner Karen Alexander was gutted at having to pull out of the race due to an injury and everyone at Murlough AC wishes her a speedy recovery. 

Laura Graham, who has been displaying great form of late, finished second in 50.05 and Martsje Hell, originally from Holland but now a member of North Belfast Harriers, finished third in 53.38.

Podium finishers were presented with the usual cash prizes and this year Mourne Seafood Bar, Belfast Cookery School and Kilmegan Cider also presented prizes to the winners. 

While the adult runners were making their way around the course, three kids’ races were taking place on Main Street.

The first race was for the age 7-8 category and the first boy across the line was Oliver Robinson with Maeve Coughlan winning the girls’ race.

In the 9-10 year old race Aaron Fitzpatrick won the boys’ race.

Rebecca Purcell, who came all the way from Stamullan in Co Meath, won the girls’ race — her brother Evan who is a member of Star of the Sea AC came second in the boys’ race. 

In the 11-12 category George McBratney and Eleanor Rodgers won the boys’ and girls’ races respectively.

It looks like the future of running is in safe hands and no doubt some of these kids will be taking part in the senior race in years to come.

Back in the hall where registration had taken place, Murlough members were hard at work putting on an impressive lay of soup sandwiches and refreshments for everyone. 

The day was as always a GR8 success and a huge credit to our members and committee. As well as those already mentioned the club would also like to acknowledge the support of the PSNI, U105, the Buck’s Head, the Spar Dundrum, the Coastguard, Dundrum GAA, Dundrum parish committee, Keenan’s Tyres, Aqua Luna, National Trust, the Order of Malta, Dr Greer, Sacred Heart Primary School, Graham’s Construction, Newry, Mourne & Down DC, Artie Quinn, Peadar Brown, Isabelle Crozet, Gilroy’s Pub, Martin McCourt and Joe Lennon, local motorocycle marshals. 

Organisers cannot thank everyone enough for their input to making this possible — everyone who gave up their time to make sure the day went without a hitch and everyone who helped set up, plate up and clean up.