Write a commentNewry AC hit the Roads, Track & Mountains in Dublin, Dundalk, Belfast & Rostrevor
Another busy race week was had by the Newry AC Squad.
Dublin Track Meet
Hughie Mackin and Sarah Jane Beattie made the journey down to Dublin for their first outdoor Track Meet. Under the watchful instruction of Coach Kookie O’Hagan, both athletes had good 800m races in windy, wet and cool conditions and in the presence of all the major Dublin/Dundalk area clubs. Sarah Jane Beattie recording 2:40 and Hughie Mackin 2:20. A good benchmark for the start of the outdoor track season training.
Dundalk 10k
Dundalk was the destination for the popular 10k race for athlete John McCaffrey. In very blustery conditions, John had a strong race and did not disappoint his club with a 38:34 time and 29th Overall position (21st in Male Open Category) out of race field of 755.
Hill & Dales Series Race 3
Newry AC despatched 7 athletes off to Slieve Martin in Kilbroney Park. The weather was favourable for the unforgiving terrain, 1500 feet ascent and the drastic downhill descent.
Keiron Kelly had a fantastic race staying in the top 3 pack on the tough ascent with Seamus Lynch and Willie McKee. However, on the tricky descent he was passed by Timothy Johnston and David Hicks to complete the race in a fabulous 5th place and time of 34:56 and collecting 1st MV45.
Esther Dickson had another great run in the series to take 1st Female (24th Overall) in a time of 40:14, 2 minutes clear of 2nd female Sarah Graham. Fellow club runners, Paul LeBlanc 26th (40:14 2nd MV55) / Rory Mulvaney 46th (43:27 16th MO) / Ronan Mynes 62nd (44:55 7th MV45) all followed in close pursuit behind Esther.
Club Junior, David Burns finished well on the tough course with a time of 57:40 and placed 8th Male Junior. Coach Kookie O’Hagan ensured all his flock came in before completing the technical descent and finishing in a time of 61:51 and 5th MV60.
Firmus Fab 5 Series, Mary Peters Track, Belfast
Athletes Joanne and Meadow McCauley (Mother and Daughter) attended the Track and Field Meet at a cold Mary Peters Track. The duo did not disappoint Coach Kookie in their performances with Meadow running a calm and technical 800m race to lift Gold with 1st place Finish (2:30:22) in the U17s Race and also competing in the Shot Putt and lifting 3rd place. Joanne McCauley competed in the Senior 200m race winning her heat (30:91) and finishing 5th Senior overall and notching a new PB. Joanne also competed in the Shot Putt and lifted 3rd in Senior Category. The pair are training hard on their track and field events ahead of a busy calendar in the coming months and aim to bring in more medals for the club.
Esther named on the NI Mountain Running Team
Congratulations to Esther Dickson as NIMRA announced the NI Team for the Inter Counties Mountain Running Championships. Esther has been named on the NI Team that will compete at Lads Leap, Derbyshire on Saturday 19th May. The course is a challenging 9.5k route with 518m of ascent.
