The annual May Day jaunt around Belfast’s streets attracted tens of thousands of runners and supporters on this 35th running of the event.
The early rain had thankfully stopped prior to the start of the event although the wind was still very strong, and North Down had a large selection of runners competing both individually and for the team relay events. All senior sections of the club were represented including a significant contingent of Colin Walkers’ inspired New Beginnings group.
Highlight of the day was the ladies relay team finishing first with Jessica Craig not only running two legs of the relay, but beating the individual ladies winner, Ethiopian Berhan Gebremichael to the finish line. Jodi Smith, running into the wind along the Sydenham by pass and contemplating going into Victoria Park for a break, Fiona McQuillan and Rachel Gibson completed the North Down team. Excellent work girls on a difficult, windy day.
The first mens’ team in, Mark Weir, Jamie McMeechan, Dennis Scott, Ben Caughers and James Budde also fared very well to take 2nd team place behind a very strong St Malachy’s team, the wind again playing a part with the individual times but the guys still managing to keep an average 5:45 min/mile pace with a 2:30 finish.
Another strong 5 man team consisting of Eamonn O’Reilly, Phillip Mulligan, Colin Walker, David Massey and Alan Massey came in around 2:48 showing good team work and some significant individual improvements in splits around the course. Other teams involving Andrew Muir and Keith Gilmore also featured alongside North Down debutants Alex and Ivan Mellon. Gemma McAnirn was part of a work relay team as were various other members of the club.
There were great performances within the individual entries from runners not only doubling up with the London marathon 8 days ago, but prepping for this race with the East Antrim Marathon Series race on Sunday and then running Belfast in fancy dress, Willy Wonka and the Oompa Loompas. Some of the disguised individuals included Cara Hamilton, Robert Martin and Donald Smith who all contributed to the charity raising efforts of the EAMS group and performed magnificently over the last week, while Lynne Kerr ran the last relay leg in conventional North Down running gear.
Nicklas Arkensparr aiming to repeat his sub 3 hour last week in London felt the impact of the wind on the inlcine from the Falls Rd up to Antrim Rd but still managed to return shortly after the 3 hour mark. Paul Galloway preparing for the Walled City Marathon on 5th June made it comfortably around in 4:06:41, while Michael Roberts successfully achieved the age qualifying time for Boston with 4:06:14.
Many more runners were seen in North Down vests at various points around the course, well done to everyone who participated and who now have their sites set on further events.
Results: