North Down AC were well represented at ‘Storming the Castle’, one of the biggest 10k races in the country on Sunday 20th August. There were junior races of 1k for 4-9 year olds with Harrison Mair taking 2nd place and Reuben Dunne finishing 5th, and 2k for 10-14 year olds where Alex Downey was 1st, Carter Rolston 2nd and Seb Mair 4th. The 10k race started at Carrickfergus leisure centre and passed along the marine highway with its headwinds, finishing by the castle. The North Down senior athletes, inspired by the successful juniors, produced some fine performances. First over the line was Francis Marsh in 7th place as 1st M55 in 35:25. Oliver Playfair made his 10k debut and finished 14th and 1st male junior in 36:59. Alan McConnell was 1st M40 in 21st place with a new PB of 38:02 and Fiona McQuillan was 1st female in 38:07. David Massey crossed the line 5 seconds later in 38:12 as 1st M45. Alasdair Mair was next NDAC finisher in 38:36 ahead of 2nd M40, Aaron McAuley in 38:47 with Philip Mulligan completing sub-40 minute finishers in 39:50 ahead of Chris Downey 40:15, Andy Belshaw 41:02 and Stuart Anderson 41:08. Sarah Gibson was 3rd F50 in 41:48 ahead of Clair Quigley 41:57. As Clair was racing at the NI Masters Track and Field Championships on Saturday and only entered this race on the day she was ineligible for the 1st F40 prize, however she had the satisfaction of joining Fiona McQuillan and Sarah Gibson in the winning ladies team. Next NDAC finisher was Nigel Playful 43:46 followed by Paula Simpson 48:56, Heather Beattie 50:15 and Frank Rea 51:11 Lynne Kerr’s 54:02 saw her claim 3rd F60. Hannah Dunne 1:01:13, Helen Beanie 1:04:49 and Terry Eakin 1:21:58 rounded off the North Down entrants.
https://www.championchipireland.com/index.html#results
NDAC ready to storm the castle
Harrison, Seb, Carter, Blake, Alex, Adam, Reuben
Fiona McQuillan & Alan McConnell
Sarah Gibson, Fiona McQuillan, Clair Quigley
Oliver Playfair