Unstoppable William is looking good for crown

26 April 2017

IF you have a target then one should look no further for inspiration than William McKee of Mourne Runners.

William has focused over the winter on joining the rare club of Hill and Dale champions, and with only two races into the series he is already closing in on that goal by winning the first two events.

Thursday night’s course had a few alterations from previous years, so past times are irrelevant, but to cover this course in under 30 minutes is seriously good running, well done William.

It was great to see Andrew Annett back and put up a great battle to claim second place. Third place went to Newcastle AC’s, Zac Hanna who had his training interrupted with a small injury.

The ladies’ race was one of the most competitive in a while with Shalene McMurray of Newcastle first in 25th overall, closely followed by Charlene Haugh (Mourne Runners) in 30th and Shileen O’Kane, third of Lagan Valley in 38th. This result seems to indicate if your first name ends with an E and N you may become a good runner.

First junior John McKee (Mourne Runners), took 13th spot and also seems to indicate if your second name is McKee you also have a great chance of being a good runner. I wonder could I change my name to Ben McKee?

First over 50 veteran home was John ‘Hen’ Kelly and the first of four John Kelly’s on the course, the last being our sweeper John ‘Butcher’ Kelly.

Jim Brown won the veterans’ over 55 category in 41st, Brendan O’Hagan won the over 60 category in 78th, Aine McNeill took the over 50 female honours in 98th, Peter McGuckin the over 65 in 125th place, Fred Strickland the over 70 in 225th and Janet McKeown the over 60 female in 242nd.

Fourth lady Patricia McKibben, in 45th place, was gutted when the family bragging rights went to her brother Marty who beat her by one place, just one place, I feel your pain Patricia.

The title of top equine veteran went to Hugh Suffern in 136th, just beating his employee, Belgium’s Inge D’Haese in 189th. Maybe it’s better for working relations not to beat your boss Inge.

Someone who doesn’t employ those tactics is Jay Brannigan, 116th overall and first Crossfit Infected, who beat boss Mark Toner. Having seen the size of Mark’s arms I would slow down a bit next week Jay.

In the absence of Brendan Donnelly, now living in London, the title of the best Donnelly now lies with Catherine who came in 219th.

An SOS call went out for a female athlete who had fallen en route on a root, so race director Dominic McInerney commandeered Dr McNiff, who had barely caught his breath, having just completed the race, to jump into his car to head back up to the injured party.

It was quite ironic when Dominic discovered it was his own sister who was injured. Thankfully, Bronagh is fine and all is well.

Talking of falls, our top sports masseur Megan McGreevy went over on her ankle, but that’s what you get for wearing flip flops during a mountain race. Local publican Jack O’Hare was looking for a helping hand after tripping, but his mate tried to stand on him as he went racing past, all is fair in love and war.

Hopefully, Aidan Kearney, who was ill after the race, was revived as Avonmore had set up a stall at the finish line with free samples of their protein milk which is a great way to recover after exercise, thanks for that Dan.

Thanks to Maghera Inn for their tasty finger food and drink at prize giving, although, with Dominic doing ambulance service, he had taken the spot prizes away with him in his car so extra helpings next week folks.

Hope all the local asphalt warriors achieved their targets over at the London Marathon, no doubt we will here all the stories of some people having great runs and others wondering where it all went wrong.

Thanks also to everyone who helped make our event so successful, at registration, our marshals, those at the finish, and also our sweeper, you were all so important.

Delighted to see Fiona Murphy and Gyle Heather achieve their goal of completing the Tollymore race having failed to do so in the past.

This week’s race is Slieve Martin in Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor, so please bring bum bag and body cover just in case. Remember to register if you haven’t already done so by Tuesday and, finally, remember to bring your series race number and pins with you if running any further races.

See you all on Thursday for the next instalment.

Tweets by @TheDownRecorder