Hawtin Shield
Now into it’s 56th year, the Hawtin Shield returned in it’s traditional pre Christmas slot, with Crawfordsburn Country Park playing host to 61 North Down athletes for the annual 5k handicap race.
As ever, the club was honoured to have the Hawtins as guests, and to award the trophy that bears their name, Ella Riddell taking a well deserved victory, from fellow junior members Eva McCann and Lauren Cheatley
Jack Logan (18:14) recorded the fastest time of the morning, a particularly fine effort given the undulating nature of the route, while junior member Jamie Gaw (18:31) was in flying form and just edged out Francis Marsh (18:32) for 2nd. Mac Eager (21:35) had a great run to finish as fastest lady, from Murphy Miller (21:49) and Lucy Cheatley 22:10, with a stream of fast finishing athletes crossing shortly after, before heading to the visitors centre for hard earned refreshments.
With everyone fed and watered, the draw for North Down’s London marathon bibs was made, Alan Massey and Gemma Caughers the lucky athletes to secure their spot and get a head start on their New Years resolutions.
Black Eye Friday Half Marathon
Pat O’Driscoll kicked off a busy weekend of running with a return visit to Carrickfergus for another EAMS half marathon, this one in honour of the biggest party day on the Christmas calendar. In beautifully pleasant conditions Pat navigated the out and back course between Carrick Castle and Gideons Green in 2:25:11, his fastest half of the year and good enough for 5th man on the day.
Back to Basics 5k
Delivering exactly what it said on the tin, the good folks behind the Back to Basics races dispensed with the usual add ons, to present a flat and fast route around Victoria Park, with chip timing and PB potential. In conditions that were slightly overcast, but otherwise conducive, there were options at 5k and 10k, Roberta Dornan choosing to have a crack at the former and put her recent training to the test. And it would appear that coach Michael Roberts’ track sessions have been paying off, with Roberta claiming the honours for first lady in a rapid time of 19:38, 11th overall.
Camlough Lake run
Having completed a half marathon on Friday and club 5k on Saturday, the irrepressible Pat O’Driscoll was at it again on Sunday, bringing down the curtain on an impressive weekend of racing by conquering approximately 7 miles of undulating terrain (and the odd skiff of snow) around Camlough Lake, in 1:18:25 for 216th place. Terry Eakin led home the North Down contingent in 52:29 for an impressive 32nd overall, with the newly appointed Alliance MLA, Andrew Muir, not far behind in 53:58 (43rd)