Ballycotton 2010

Its March and to many runners in Ireland that can only mean the Ballycotton 10, even if it was a couple of weeks later this year due to a clash of dates with other races. A much smaller contingent than usual from Sportsworld made its way down this year, apparently due to a lot of people been caught out by the closing entry date. Margaret in the Bayview Hotel was asking about your whereabouts Tony, Ruth, Trevor and Judith - I promised her you would be back next year !

This race seems to just get better and better. Indeed it was included in a list of the Top 10 races in the world by the Daily Telegraph a couple of weeks ago. Its hard to say what it is that attracts so many people but I suspect it has a lot to do with its unique race day atmosphere as people stroll up and down to the race HQ at the bottom of the village looking over at the spectacular bayside view that extends out from this beautiful village. Along the way one can stop and talk to people that you recognise from previous races - this becomes even more interesting if one is accompanied as I was on my journey to and from the race tent by Lucy Darcy who seems to know and be known by everybody !

The weather was perfect this year, if a little humid. Be warned if you are planning on doing this race that ,while it is a superbly organised race with tremendous local support, that the last 2 miles can be only described as 'savage'. There are few races I have done that have such a tough finish but of course this only adds to the challenge. There were surprise winners in both the mens and ladies races with Greg Robers from City of Derry winning the mens in 50 mins 17 seconds and Barbara Sanchez winning the womens race in 58 mins 45 seconds.

There were some excellent performances from Sportsworld, headed by Lucy who finished 5th in a magnificent time of 62:08 (also winning her age category with ease). Next up was Stephanie Bergin who broke the seventy minute barrier when she finished in a fine 69:08. Not far behind was Edel Madigan in 71:54. The ever consistent Ann Higgins finished in a commendable 73:18 and Ger Carragher finished in 76:49. As for myself I ran 77;42 - significantly slower than last year but faster than each of the two previous years (I think I missed tailing off the back of the brother as I have done here the last few years - Killian was another victim of the missed last entry date malaise that seemed to sweep the club !).

Make sure you all get in before the closing entry date next year - it really is a fine race.

Race Report by
Enda McMorrow