This year’s Hill & Dale race series concluded last Thursday evening in glorious sunshine that was missing for most of the previous 8 events! This race from Donard Park to the telecommunications and TV relay transmitter on top of Drinahilly was shorter and faster than most of the others at almost 6k, with the added bonus of refreshments and prize giving in O’Hare’s Bar, only a short walk across the car park from the finish line!
Gareth Hardy was the first of the North Down AC finishers in 29:20 followed by Abby Andrews 34:29, Clair Quigley 34:32, Fiona McQuillan 34:36, Deirdre Johnson 36:06, Kevin Mulligan 27:03, Claire Scott 38:28, Seán Nickell 38:33, Donald Smith 39:23, June McMinn 40:35, Eibhlin Largey 41:04, Sophie Hamilton 42:10, Cara Jedffrey 42:16 and Kim McCourt 44:19. Lisa Tomalin had to pull out due to injury.
The club were well represented during the series prize giving afterwards; Abby Andrews was 10th female overall and the winner of the F55 age group. Clair Quigley was 2nd F45 and June McMinn was 2nd F65, however the biggest cheer of the evening and a well deserved standing ovation, was reserved for the M80 winner, John Adgey who despite breaking his arm and leg at Loughshannagh 2 weeks ago, returned to cheer on and celebrate with all the runners.
https://www.newcastleac.org/?page_id=18346
North Down AC’s half marathon runners were out in force on Friday night for the annual Ards Half Marathon. One of the most challenging half marathons in Northern Ireland, the steady climbs on Scrabo Road and Moate Road are interspersed with rolling hills into Comber making it difficult for runners to settle into their usual steady rhythm.
Ashley Dixon was the first NDAC finisher, in 6th place overall, in 1:18:18. Aaron Beggs was 9th with a 4:59 PB in 1:19:13, claiming 1st M40 honours in the process. Finn Johnson (12th) 1:20:31 was followed by 1st M60, Francis Marsh in 14th in 1:22:11. Jason Mackenzie 1:22:12, Thomas Steele 1:22:36, Jonathan Gibson 1:22:40, Ben Macrory 1:28:25, Chris Couchman 1:32:39 and Mitchell Brown were followed by Sarah Gibson in 85th place overall and 1st F55 in 1:37:03. Jacob Sullivan 1:42:59 and Alan Massey 1:43:07 were ahead of Fiona McVicar 1:45:14, Julie Balmer 1:46:36 and Sarah Wilson 1:47:43. David Balmer 1:51:43, Andrew Muir 1:52:01, Una Kilmartin 1:46:41, Matt Ormesher 1:47:05 and Nicola Ingram 1:48:45 were the next North Down finishers followed by Katlyn Massey 1:52:21 and Jordan McClean 1:53:11. Sophie Hamilton had recovered quickly from the Hill & Dale race the previous evening, finishing this hilly route in 1:56:06 with John Ferguson 1:58:57, Michael Stevenson 2:05;00, Emma Hegarty 2:05:11, Dave Press 2:06:07, Beth Mulree 2:12:40, Elaine McDonnell 2:13:09, Gabrielle Logan-Hermon 2:14:52, Nicola Stevenson 2:14:52, Caroline Gilmore 2:13:34, Stefan Butler 2:19:17 and Jill Eager 2:24:42 rounding off strong performances.
https://www.championchipireland.com/index.html#results
Rachel Gibson tackled the 800m and 1500m at the NI Masters Track and Field Championships at the MPT on Saturday, claiming gold in both events! She won the 800m in 2:17.66 and the 1500m in 4:48.26.
The Irish National Juvenile Age Group Track and Field Championships were held in Tullamore on Saturday and Sunday and some of North Down AC’s top juvenile t&f stars put in excellent performances; Jago Campbell was 3rd in the U15 high jump, clearing 1.61m. Catherine McBrinn ran 2:24.65 in the heats of the U15 girls 800m, while Seb Mair ran 2: 09.03 in the heats of the U16 boys 800m, both good times considering the very blustery conditions. Carter Rolston moved up 7 places in the last 2 laps to place 9th in the U16 3000m, finishing in 9:42.08. In the U16100m Travis Truesdale ran a 11.85 heat and finished 8th in the final in 11.71 It was another silver medal for Emma Reid in the U17 discus with a throw of 35.83m.
Harrison Jamison ran in the U19 400m finishing his heat in 51.03 and coming 7th in the final in 51.75. In the U18 400m Tomas Montgomery took bronze with 50.49.
http://live.athleticsireland.ie/textfile.txt
