Well done to all the juniors who competed in Race 4 on Sunday in Kilbroney. Results are below. Aplologies for having no times for the P4 and under race as the stop watch wasn’t started. Also below is the Series Team Points with only 1 more race to go.
Race 4
Series Team Points
Photos
Report By The Non Runner
On the first day of December we gathered in Kilbroney Park for the penultimate race of this very popular series. The weather was overcast and dry, a very pleasant start to the month. At this stage we would like to issue a disclaimer.
Disclaimer
It has come to the attention of Newcastle AC and McGrady Financial Services that there have been NO incidents of inclement weather so far in this series. It has therefore been deemed necessary to bring to the attention of all runners and their families that it MIGHT RAIN in January at our next meeting. Indeed IT MAY EVEN BE A BIT WINDY at Delamont Park on Saturday 18th January 2014. Our host club for that event are East Down AC, so please be advised that no-one is to be going haranguing Joe or Frank if it isn’t the fair weather that Newcastle AC and Burren AC have arranged so far in the series.
The usual smooth and efficient registration process was underway at 1pm and yes Dromore AC did it again, outshining the other clubs with their organisational skills. They again had their very own club sign displayed on the table. At this event we dispensed with the usual table envy, in fact someone was overheard saying that our guest club 3 Ways AC from Newry were experiencing table shame. Their shame was so great that they were doing their registration in the small car park beside the venue.
ALL HAIL THE BURREN BUNMAKER
This reporter is under the impression that, should anyone actually read this report, readers will accept that the views expressed are my own and in no way representative of McGrady FS or Newcastle AC. (I feel another Disclaimer coming on….) So if anyone is offended….well….I apologise, but hey, have you read any of the other NAC reports? I’d like to think this one is very tame and measured in comparison. Well I have to behave myself, it’s all about the kids after all. So, on our return to Kilbroney we hoped that the host club weren’t feeling the pressure of my previous report regarding the bun shortage (shortage? There weren’t any!). Having gained a reputation for glorious catering facilities, we were delighted to see Burren AC had provided home-made buns. They proved very popular, in fact many NAC representatives were to be seen scoffing one with a cup of tea. Hard to beat folks! Our thanks and congratulations to the caterers and indeed our compliments must go to the baker. Well done! (do you think that was a sufficient amount of grovelling?)
Hat Tricks all around
At exactly 2pm Brian Laverty of Burren AC started the first of our races with the P4 and under boys and girls. The first boy home was NAC’s own James McVeigh. It’s a hat trick of wins for James in this race series, well done! The first girl across the line was East Down’s Grace Prenter. Next to the start line were the P5 boys and girls and our winners were Mackenzie Murray of East Down and Lara McCarthy of our host club Burren AC, Lara has won all of her races in the series so far, another great achievement! P6 boys and girls were next and our winners were Ultan O’Callaghan from 3 Ways AC, another hat trick of wins, well done Ultan. The winner of the girls was Caitlin Coffey also of 3 Ways AC, her second victory of the series so far. The last of the primary school races was our P7 boys and girls. Our winners were Oliver Millar of Dromore AC, gaining his first win of the series and Newcastle’s Eve Kenneally, fresh from representing NAC andCo Down at the All-Ireland XC Championships, again another hat trick of victories! Well done our Eve! Next up were the “big-schoolers”, Year 8 race was won by Cathal Brennan of 3 Ways and Chloe Galloway of East Down, yet another hat trick of wins, this time for Chloe! Year 9 race saw Jack O’Farrell of Burren also gain his hat trick of wins and NAC’s Sarah Dougherty, another representative of NAC and Co Down at the All-Ireland XC Championships, win her third race of the series. Well done to our Sarah! Year 10 victors were Peter Fegan of Burren AC, getting his first win and Laura Green of East Down again another hat-tricker! Year 11 and older boys winner was Daniel Dawson of Dromore AC who crossed the line breaking the 10 minute mark-a fantastic run for Daniel who also got his second win of the series and last but not least, Laura Gardiner of East Down, the last hat trick winner of the day! Before concluding the results please remember that it’s a club event with each and every runner contributing to their club points, no matter where they finish in the race. It’s crossing the line that counts, thank you to all who turned up for our race on Sunday. We understand it is a big commitment to take part in our series and with all the other activities on for children, the organisers would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to a those who turn up, support the events and support their club. It’s very much appreciated.
We shall close this report on a high note. If there were an award for The-Most-Improved-Runner-Of-The-Day it would be handed to none other than Kerri Valentine of NAC. Kerri practically zoomed through her race and I almost didn’t recognise her! Well done to Kerri who, my sources tell me, has been a regular at the Saturday morning training sessions with “Mr Rodgers” in Tollymore. Just shows what a little extra effort and perseverance will do. Keep up the good work Kerri!
Next up we have the Junior Christmas party on Sunday 8th in Toscano Pizzeria, (coaches are collectively in training for this endurance event) where any children who misbehave will be given a double espresso and a puppy, just before their parents collect them. That’s a joke folks….or is it….??!