No buses – but plenty of Age Category wins for Newcastle AC

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In typical Newcastle AC style – you arrive at a race and have no idea who has entered the race until you are at the start line. You quickly spot the people from your “tribe” – no buses ordered,

Newcastle AC at Lisburn

Newcastle AC at Lisburn

The weather thankfully was on our side – dry ✅, cloudy ✅, muggy ✅ but better than wind and rain for sure. A great buzz around Lisburn 42nd Annual Half Marathon and 10k. The new course had a mixed reaction – definitely “undulating” eg lumpy in parts and the new diversion around the Maze was eerily like something out of the zombie apocalypse – a never ending path of concrete and tumble weed.

As usual the evening did not go without drama? Miss World took on chauffeuring duties and promptly collected the “School Building Supervisor” at time arranged. All good and off we set. Until Butcher announces he had no watch with him and was not prepared to run a ‘naked’ half marathon. So a quick U-turn on the road and back to Newcastle for the watch. Off we go again. 2nd Drama unfolds. A number of cars

diverted going into Lisburn due to an accident (hopefully everyone ok). So only solution was to follow the car in front they are bound to know we are following them to Lisburn!! Now if anyone knows Miss World a road without white lines is a no no and with Butcher using google maps and Ronnie ( Road Network Extrordinaire) surely we couldn’t get lost!

We arrive at the start line and quickly spot a number of red vests, an impromptu rally around of all the Newcastle vests to get a photo but one person was missing!! Wee Brown had decided to call into the local graveyard and say a “lock” of prayers.

1068 runners assembled at the start line. First two home with impressive times Michael Mc Greevy in 1.22.11 with Wee Brown hot on his tails in 1.22.19. Yep 7 seconds !! 19th and 20th respectively. Mc Greevy 7th MO and Wee Brown 4th M40.

Next up was Frank Cunningham – 36th overall and 7th M40 in 1.25.17 and his partner in crime Sinead Murtagh our first Newcastle AC lady in 1.28.47 finishing 1st F40 and 7th female overall- Well Done Mrs Murtagh. Only thing Sinead was parched for was a cup of tae.

Bob Brown took 2nd in M55 in 1.30.18

John “Butcher” Kelly in 1.34.16 1st M65

Lorna Cunningham in 1.40.09 2nd F50 and 20th female overall.

Stevie Toner in 1.48.08

Well done to everyone! And thanks to “Spielberg” aka Runners Award winner Frankie Mc Givern for videos and Diane for all the support!