Weather sends runners on path to glory

Weather sends runners on path to glory

1 February 2012

ROLLERCOASTER Races day at Downpatrick Racecourse dawned bright but cold after a widespread overnight frost and certainly had  the salt spreaders of East Down at full tilt to ensure that underfoot conditions were safe for the opening race at noon.

The opening event saw over 40 P4/5 girls take on the mighty Heartbreak Hill from near the two furlong post and the field was led home by Cedar’s Daisy Lyndsay with All Children’s IPS, Newcastle’s, Eve Keneally second and Kate McAuley from Newcastle AC in third.

Cedar IPS made it a double when the P4/5 boys race was won in splendid fashion by Andrew McGrattan, who led from start to finish with Newcastle AC’s Conor Murray a close second from John Joe McDonald of Loughview IPS in third.

The P6/7 girls’ race was dominated by Beechmount Harriers with a clean sweep of the podium places as Rebecca Duffy finished a massive 11 seconds clear of Alexandra Lynch and Carol Browne.

As they do every year, Kilmaine Primary School turned up in force and their strong girls team re-claimed the team shield with Zoe Thompson 6th, Samantha Coburn 8th and Emma McIlwaine 12th giving them a score of 36 points.

The boys’ shield was retained by the squad of Caoilin Quinn (2nd), Tom Smyth (4th), Owen Edwards (5th) and Caoilin Logue (9th) representing Our Lady and St. Patrick’s Primary, formerly St. Patrick’s Boys Primary, whose score of 20 points was enough to edge out a battling St. Patrick’s, Legamaddy, quartet

However, Tim Prenter’s impressive winning run for Legamaddy ahead of Caoilin Quinn and Caolan Hawkins from All Children’s IPS Newcastle made sure that the honours were shared.

Paul McMeekin followed up his Christmas Handicap Run success by comfortably claiming victory in the boys’ U-13 over 1500 metres with Ballyclare’s Emma Hutchinson taking the girls’ title just ahead of Beechmount’s Lauren McCabe with East Down’s Aoife Cochrane in third.

Newcastle’s Patrick Sheridan fairly romped home in the U-15 boys’ race over 2.5K and had half a minute to spare over his second placed rival. This race marked the debut of Daniel McClean in the East Down colours. Shauna Browne from Beechmount won the girls’ race from Newcastle’s Dearbhla Magee after Laura Gardiner faded after a bright start.

A disappointing turnout of two boys and two girls in the U-17 3K race strangely provided the most compelling contest of the afternoon. David Devenney, newly confident following some regular training with the seniors, threw down the gauntlet from the off to Adam Prenter, the pre-race favourite and held the lead until the final lung bursting hill to the line, where Adam summoned up his last reserves of energy to squeeze past. Nevertheless, a great performance from David.

Brendan Teer turned the form book upside down in devastating fashion on his home ground in the senior race over 5K, in the shadow of the magnificent snow-capped Mournes.

Racing to the front from the off he never gave his club mate and recent nemesis Liam Venney the ghost of a chance, winning by just under a minute in a new record time of 15.50. Liam was second and Noel McNally from Beechmount was third.

Others to retain their titles from last year were Danny Skeffington, first over 45, and Maureen Oliver, first over 50 for the ladies. Tom Crawford, Orangegrove AC, and Elaine Burch Lagan Valley were U-20 winners. Cheryl Denvir was first over 35 lady with Virginia Ervine taking the over 45 prize, after a stewards’ inquiry. Apologies are offered to Virginia for the mix up.

Greg McClure took the over 55 male prize, but the most eye-catching performance of the day was that of new recruit Martin Wilcox who posted 17.49 to take a splendid 5th place and first over 35 prize on his debut run for east Down.

He certainly looks like being a very valuable addition to the senior squad.

It’s all energies now towards the fast approaching Jimmy’s Ten which takes place this year on Sunday, March 18, at 12 noon. And of course, as well as the usual top prizes on offer plus increased bonuses for new race records and all sorts of special prizes to mark the club’s 25th anniversary year, all finishers will be included in a draw for a £700 holiday voucher, thanks to the continued sponsorship of MB McGrady & Co, Chartered Accountants.

Entries will be limited to 600 and the recommendation is get in early to avoid disappointment, if entries are taken on the day the fee will be greatly increased. Walkers are also welcome and will be included in the holiday draw, but remember, you must be present at the draw to qualify. More details next week. Online entry will be available by the weekend.