On Sunday 17th North Down fielded a senior woman and mens team in the annual road relays hosted by Raheny Shamrock athletic club in Dublin.
The high standard of running from some of Ireland’s top athletes was evident throughout the races with sub 5 minute mile splits the norm in the mens races. Ran over a slightly longer than 1 mile loop the ladies had 3 legs of 1M, 2M and 1M and the men 4 legs of 2M, 1M, 3M and 2M.
The ladies team of Rachel Gibson, Jessica Craig and Katie Moore equalled their best ever finishing position 5th, and smashed their previous best overall time by completing in 22:26. A couple of club best splits were also recorded within the race. Rachel led off with a 5:22 and handed over to Jessica who ran a swift 2 laps at 11:19, Katie finishing with a solid 5:45 final leg.
James Budde started the men off and ran his quickest 2 laps on the course, handing over to Francis Marsh 10:06 after starting. Francis ran his lap in 4:52 before Craig McMeechan took on the longer 3 lap leg. Craig managed to beat Francis’ long standing 3 lap record by 3 seconds, finishing in 15:21. Dennis Scott brought the team home with a final 2 lap leg of 10:15, claiming 9th place.
Great running from both of our teams in an event where it is easy to fall into the trap of starting too fast, and where inevitably runners have to run large sections in isolation. Hopefully the club can enter a couple of mens and womens teams next year with the option of masters events also.
Results:
http://www.athleticsireland.ie/downloads/other/senior_women.pdf
http://www.athleticsireland.ie/downloads/other/senior_men.pdf
Club stats at Raheny: