Albertville 5 Mile Road Race

Saturday 1st March saw the start of the year’s road racing with the Albertville 5 mile. The course comprises several “figure of 8” laps through the fast, if not exactly picturesque Duncrue Industrial estate, and Orangegrove were well represented again with 12 runners.

Most of the chatter prior to the race was the news that former Olympian and European XC champion Fionnuala Britton had made the journey north to test herself against some of Orangegrove’s finest.

John Craig broke the club record with a hugely impressive 27:55 and next home were Graeme McNabb (30:58) and Des Fahy (31:17). Stephen Orr and Ray Leitch were neck and neck at the end followed by Connor Moffat and Brian Todd. Spurred on by the thought of the pint in the Portside after, Jo Patterson was the first Orangegrove lady in 37:24 finishing just ahead of Joy McAleer who ran a PB (37:28). Sarah Steer pipped Emma McWilliams at the post and Hugh Young had a great run ending up the 2nd out of the 4 V70 runners. Des and Ray ran PBs too.

Post race we were treated to chicken soup and rolls in the Portside and a few of us took the chance for a sneaky photo with the extraordinarily tiny, but very friendly Ms Britton. A great start to the season!