RGU 10K Report

Wednesday 27th July saw the 9th running of the RGU 10k in Downpatrick, an event that is always very well supported by Newcastle AC. This year was no exception as 16 athletes toed the line on a testing but fair course over the rolling hills of the County Town. The race was won in emphatic style by Seamus Lynch in a time of 32.41, winning by just over 4 minutes from East Down’s Barrie Atkinson. The Prophet joked that Seamy was in a different Parish when he finished, which was actually true as the Prophet was still in Bright Parish by the time Lynch crossed the line.

The Newcastle crew came in thick and fast afterwards filling 8 of the top 12 places. 4th home overall was Colm Murtagh in 38.36 enjoying the drop back in trip after his exploits in Portaferry. He was closely followed by Paul Byrne with a strong run in 5th in a time of 38.49 and John ‘Hen’ Kelly in 6th in 39.30.

7th overall and 1st Lady home was Sinead Murtagh in 40.11, by this stage the Prophet had thankfully managed to get back to Downpatrick Parish from Bright. Sinead had a great run and was only just outside her PB on a testing course, she also managed to coax home Joe McCann who finished 8th in a time of 40.12. Joe was one of the athletes feeling the effects of a hard 10 mile race in Castleblayney a few days earlier but showed no signs of this in the closing stages.

Next home for Newcastle in 10th place with a PB of 40.28 was Frank Cunningham. Frank had the privilege of being the only man ahead of Lynch in the race, albeit for only 50 metres, as he produced his trademark lightning start. This time however he judged his pace much better and didn’t fade in the 2nd half, which surely bodes well for his attempt to break the 40 later in the year. Niall Carson finished 12th in 40.43 after declaring that he was not just full of beans but full of peas, carrots, potatoes and beetroot too.

Noel Gallagher, only back from injury, was disappointed with the time on both his watches of 41.10, but knowing Wonderwall it will not be long before he bounces back. Conversely Patricia McKibben was over the moon with her 41.14 which was not only a PB but it was good enough for 3rd Lady. The Prophet was another feeling the effects of Castleblayney and finished in 44.25. His name featured in the results as Jerome McCrickland which isn’t in Downpatrick.

‘There’s only one Jinxy Farrell’ was heard echoing around the course and Jinxy didn’t disappoint with a solid run in 44.49, he was followed closely by Michael McDonald with a time of 46.06. Rita Devlin was next with a time of 47.46 and the improving Paul Fitzpatrick finished in 48.42. Finally, Declan Rice thoroughly enjoyed his run as he finished with 50.06.

Position Time Name
1 00:32:41 Seamus Lynch
4 00:38:36 Colm Murtagh
5 00:38:49 Paul Byrne
6 00:39:30 John Kelly
7 00:40:11 Sinead Murtagh
8 00:40:12 Joe McCann
10 00:40:28 Frank Cunningham
12 00:40:43 Niall Carson
17 00:41:10 Noel Gallagher
18 00:41:14 Patricia McKibben
28 00:44:25 Jerome McCrickard
32 00:44:49 Jerome Farrell
34 00:46:06 Michael McDonald
42 00:47:46 Rita Devlin
48 00:48:42 Paul Fitzpatrick
54 00:50:06 Declan Rice

By Percy Grower.