Another murky and wet morning, another big ParkRuns turnout with 300 at the 2 Belfast venues in the final day of road racing for 2011. At Victoria Park, Jordan Stokes, holidaying from St Mary’s University College, was the winner in 16:22 min – not a pb but a course record at Victoria Park for the key 15 – 19 age group. In 2nd place evergreen Francis Marsh ran16:36 min and Darren McKee in 7th ran18:05 with Terry Eakin 18:37, Nick Irvine 20:35 and John McGarvey 21:53. Making it a club double, Jessica Craig won the ladies race from Anna Rainey in a healthy 19:09 min with Rachel Gibson 4th in 19:44 and Ange Perrott 6th in 20:40. In 7th Valerie McDonough ran 22:21, Lynne Kerr in 8th ran 22:56, with Sarah Benton 23:34 and Jill Aicken 27:34. Showing the club flag at the Waterworks, Debbie Matchett was 3rd female in 20:06.
The ladies results include most of Lynne’s Wednesday night training group and a special mention for Jill who took part while 5 months pregnant and still finished ahead of a good few other ladies. As for Terry, Victoria Park was his 72nd race for 2011 (32 ParkRuns, 24 road races, 11XC’s and 5 track). Not that anyone’s counting but we make it he’s edged the most by a Northern Irish runner from a surprisingly substantial list of contenders (Pat O’Driscoll has well over 50). Word is that competition for that title is set to increase in 2012.
The club road race rankings for 2011 is now closed and a new list will operate from Sunday. A happy new year to all viewers for 2012 and may your personals get better.