Great Rossa Run
Some marched on the 12th July. Others ran! There was a significant Orangegrove presence on the western banks of Lough Neagh at Ardboe, Co. Tyrone, for The Great Rossa Run.
There were half marathon, 10k and 5k options. Last year this was a very well organised and executed event and, undoubtedly, it will be the same again this year. The route will be a relatively flat one over the country roads west of Ardboe Point with perhaps just one or two little surprises. What will be certain is that there will be a carnival atmosphere, a huge welcome from the locals and a bit of a party once the race has been run.
Well, the day came and went and, as predicted, it was a very well organised and executed series of races, unlike another event in Belfast on the same day that we are hearing about.
Lyndsey Pronger is enjoying a rich vein of form at the moment and it continued at Ardboe where she finished second lady in 1.34.31 (30th overall). Yet another ‘nice little earner’ and a well deserved place on the podium for Lyndsey. If this continues, as it undoubtedly will, HM Inland Revenue will begin to take more than a passing interest in her affairs. Well done Lyndsey! And well done too to Liz Leitch who finished in 1.49.35.
There was some great running near the top of the half marathon field from Paul Tyro (1.24.52) and Thomas Leitch (1.24.55). Paul (8th overall) reached the finish line a mere three seconds ahead of Thomas (9th overall). Well done to both of them. A great advertisement for OAC!
Fintan Hurl and Louise Browne both ran very well in the 10k event, with Louise (51.28), possibly taking it easy, just edging out Fintan on 51.48. There is no love lost between this pair when they are running and Fintan’s pursuit of Louise on this occasion earned him a 10k personal best. Well done!
The Ardboe half-marathon was won by Gary O’Hanlon (Clonliffe Harriers) in 1.14.35, with Charlene Abraham first lady in 1.34.07. The 10k event was won by Barry Herron (Finn Valley) in 32.49, with Gemma Turley (Springwell) first lady in 40.32.
