Drum Manor 10k Trail Race

14 OAC athletes turned out on the 18th January for the 3rd event in the Sperrin Harriers Winter League, the Drum Manor 10k.  In a field of around 140 athletes Orangegrove AC distinguished themselves amongst the mass of red Sperrin Harriers shirts.

The event was also the 3rd event in the internal OAC Club Championship which may have helped swell the numbers for a race a considerable distance from Belfast and with terrible weather conditions on the day.

The course itself was a 2 lap affair around the forest park with the odd challenging hill. John Craig came 7th in the race with a superb time of 37m45s. Thomas Leitch was 13th with a time of 38m35s which was a good enough time to win the M40 category. Thomas has done all 3 events in the Winter League so far and is proving a great representative for the club out in The Sperrins. Graeme McNabb put a solid performance in with a time of 41m45s.

Amongst the ladies Julie McKimm was first over the line with a time of 49m23s coming 4th in the F35 category. Jill Holland was next with a time of 52m42s and came 2nd in the F45 category.  So overall a good day out for the club, and several of us will be journeying to other events in the Winter League.

It should also be said that Brian Todd’s camper van is proving very useful for warming up in the adverse conditions in recent races and it is very much appreciated by the rest of us in the club!