2016 Glenmore Challenge & Leinsters – Report

Saturday, the 11^th of June saw the annual Glenmore Challenge 10 mile wind its way from Mullaghbuoy Community Centre down towards Castletown Cooley and up into Piedmont with a right turn for Benagh through Ballgoley, Spellickanee on through Aghmeen Cross, towards Long Woman’s Grave down through Corrakit and back to Mullaghbuoy Communtiy Centre.

To the tunes of the DJ Stephen O’Connor warmed up the runners & walkers who then proceeded to the start line where Tommy Neary set them on their way. The brave souls who ran the 10 miles were treated to signs announcing the names of the local townlands as well as motivational signs handmade by local schools such as Ardaghy, Lordship & Mullaghbuoy showing off not only the pride of place but the talent in the surrounding area. Stewards & residents came out in force to spur them on, there were O’Reillys, McCanns, Breens, Cliffords, Keenans & Stewarts to name but a few. Local Glenmore lad, Shane Toner, led the runners into Mullaghbuoy with ease coming home in 57 minutes 50 followed by James Trainor, Dub Runners Belfast and Sean Doran, Clonliffe Harriers in 3^rd place. Colette McCourt, Dub runners Belfast led the women home in 1^st place followed by Maureen Lowther and Eimear McCracken, City of Lisburn in 3^rd place. In the Female team category Dub Runners Belfast won for the second year in a row with Colette McCourt, Paula Owens, Jane McCann & Nessa Agnew whilst North East Runners came 2^nd with Karen Caldwell, Lorraine Dunne, Mary McArdle & Siobhan White. Dub Runners Belfast took the honours in the mens club results as well with James Trainor, Brian Derby, Jim Larkin & Joe Crean whilst Glenmore AC were thrilled to win silver team with Shane Toner, Patrick White, Tadhg Leahy & Tony Ashby.

As ever, all the runners, spectators & walkers were served up a feast in the community centre afterwards with music flowing in the background. Whilst, the children were delighted with Neil Farnon Bounceabout Inflatables thus assuring that all were catered for. There was the usual convivial atmosphere all down to Glenmore AC members, residents and friends too numerous to thank here but ye know who ye are, thank you. Our nominated charity was the Maria Goretti respite centre who also helped out on the day as did Mary & John McGeown who are always there to help at Glenmore events.

We would most especially like to thank our two main sponsors: Carton Die and Greenore Port who had representatives there to present the prizes. We are also grateful to the following businesses who sponsored the miles: Barrys Shop, Aidan McCoy Loss Assessors, O’Connor Roofing Lordship, Top Omeath Fuels, Gerry Rice Animal Pregnancy scanning, Appletree Dental Care Newry, Aislings hairdressers Omeath, O’Neill Plant Hire, Visit Carlingford.com and Brendan Reids sportswear. In addition to the beautiful wooden medals there are also spot prizes for runners. Again, we would like to thank the following for their generosity: Liberty Café Tholsel Street Carlingford, Candyford Sweet Shop, Wildwood Café North Commons Carlingford, LUSH boutique Carlingford, Irish Martial Arts Academy, Kingfisher restaurant Carlingford, Lily Finnegans Pub, Whitestown & Fergusons Bar, Gyles Quay.

We would like to congratulate all the runners & walkers, it is not called a challenge for nothing as those from all the clubs will attest to, thanks to the clubs who came out in force to support us: Dub Runners Belfast, Clonliffe Harriers, North East Runners, City of Lisburn AC, Newcastle AC, Slieve Gullion Runners, Trim AC, Cilles AC, Team Carrie, Duleek & District, cuchulainn CC, Blayney Rockets, Carrick Aces, Team Necret, Blackrock AC, Jog Lisburn Running Club, Rock Fitness, Martial Arts Inc, and all the individuals and of course, our own Glenmore runners: Shane Toner, Patrick White, Tadhg Leahy, Tony Ashby, Kenneth McBride, Chris Connolly, John Doyle, Stephen O’Connor, Tony Elmore, Michael McShane, Karen May, Ali McEnhill, Kinga Byrne, Sarah Dooney, Shane Arnold, Barry Woods, Paddy Gill, Llyod Byrne, Bridget McGreehan, Rose White, Joan Farnon, Laura Hoey & Vicky Leahy. Thanks also to Ronan at www.myrunresults.com. Please see their website for more detailed results of 10 mile challenge.

Another busy weekend for Glenmore juvenile athletes also, on Saturday Sean McCarragher braved the female company and travelled with the club to Tullamore to compete in the Lenister U9-U11 pairs and the U12 & U13 individual competition.

Lisa Conlon was first up in the U12 hurdles, she finished 2^nd in her heat and 7^th in a strong final, her first time competing in this event. Lisa also competed in the 600m qualifying for the final and the high jump. Sean Mc Carragher competed in the U13 boys shot putt throwing well and finishing just outside the top eight. In the pairs we had teams in both U9 and U11 girls.

U9 girls had a tremendous day and secured medals in all events. All the U9 pairs teams now progress to the All Ireland Pairs on July 3 where they will also compete in the All Ireland club Relay. Jessica White & Katie Mc Donald 3^rd U9 60m, Emma Mc Carragher & Katie McDonald 3^rd U9 Javelin, Jessica White & Emma Mc Carragher U9 300m 2^nd.

U11 girls also had a great day finishing just outside the medals in a strong field of over 50 competing athletes. Chloe Mc Carragher and Anna Dawson 6^th U11 600m, and 6^th in Javelin. Lucy White and Orlaith Daly finshed 4^th in the U11 60m, and 9^th in the Long Jump. Lucy White was part of the Louth U11 relay team who finished second in the Lenister inter County relay competition. Well done to all. Belated congrats to the following ladies completed the VHI Womens mini marathon on bank holiday Monday, Melissa Mc Coy, Ursula Cummiskey, Pauline Keenan, Irene Keenan, Katie Breen, Sandra Breen, Anita Roddy & Edel Connolly.