McCann in line for ‘Clubman of the Year’ after a weekend of high quality event management
by Joe McCann
The third thrilling mountain run in the now infamous ‘Saturday morning series’ starred David O’Flaherty, Brendan Quail, Francie ‘I am hoping that no-one will know that I was 48 on Friday – nothing gets by me big lad!’ McAlinden, Deon McNeilly, Paul ‘I drove all the way from Camlough to be dropped within 5 minutes and run for over two hours on my own Fegan’ and their perspicacious visionary leader Eugene ‘can I organise every run – more on that later’ McCann. Continue reading
Club Session – 24th January
This week’s ‘Official Club’ Tuesday session will be a 1-2-3-4-5-4-3-2-1 pyramid. Meeting as usual at Newcastle Centre at 6.30pm. There may be alternative sessions in Castlewellan and at the Ivy Bridge, but no details have been forwarded by the ‘Renegades’ as yet.
Please also note that Club Membership Fees are now overdue. If you do not pay up, you run the risk of being named and shamed in the local press!!!!
Annual Club Membership
Club Membership is now due. Please forward payment to Damien Brannigan ASAP so that Damien can register you with Athletics NI. You must be registered with Athletics NI to race for the club.
Membership Form
Club Runs
Saturday morning mountain run : Meet in Donard Park at 8:30 am. Route is Chimney Rock from Donard Park (only 1 mountain this week!). Full body cover, fell shoes and a drink essential. Contact Eugene if you need more information.
The Sunday 10 am run is back!
Due to numerous requests, the 10:00 am Sunday run will start again this week. It will not be at a brisk pace, slower than the 8:30 am run.
If you cannot run at the Big Fella and the other fellas brisk pace or cringe at the word McKibbin or cannot get out of bed early then this is for you.
Meet at the Bryansford Road end of Donard Park at 10:00 am sharp. Run will be led by Eugene this week. Please volunteer to lead the run in the coming weeks.
Club Race
Marty McVeigh has suggested the following:
“as an alternative to the handicap on the 7th, what about a run over a 10k course in Castlewellan? This course was used for a race in 1986! How many will break Franks time, not too many I bet, free bottle of beer at the “Indian” to anyone that does.
The course is, start at the High School, main street, forest park, crossroads, rangers hut, lake side sign, go right follow Tarmac path to gate (2 laps), lake side sign, rangers hut, crossroads, finish about 30 mts after speed ramp on your way back to the main entrance (spray paint)
You can have a go at this at any time, just record your time, I will believe you!
PS: I will buy 2 bottles for anyone beating my 1986 time!”
Club Notes for Week of 15th January 2012
An afternoon of splendid racing in the stately heart of Down
by Joe McCann
Majestically situated in the heart of the County Down countryside, Castleward, with its eccentrically elegant 18th century house that fuses classical and gothic styles is a hidden gem for runners. This truly beautiful 820 acre (I refuse to acknowledge the metric system!) walled demesne with walking trails, exotic gardens and stunning vistas was the ideal location for the penultimate race in the 2011-12 McGrady Financial Services Junior Cross Country Series.