Comber Cup XC

Saturday 15th February saw the return of the Comber Cup to the XC fixture list following an absence of several years. The race was hosted by Ballydrain Harriers at the Billy Neill Playing Fields. The weather had not been kind, there was a lot of lying water and mud which had called for a change of course to a more hilly 2k loop than had been planned. Conditions during the race were not ideal either, at points the headwind was so strong runners were lucky not to be blown into the lake!

There were several primary school and junior races. The ladies and masters men’s race was over the distance of 6k. I was our only female competitor, I seem to run better in terrible weather and finished  15th lady in 28.38. New recruit Owen Woodman won the MV70 category in 42.30. The ladies race was won by Suzanne Higgins of Lagan Valley

The Comber Cup for senior men was run over 8k. John Craig and Graeme McNabb both ran extremely well. John had a top 10 finish in a time of 29.35, with Graeme also running strongly to finish in 33.48. The men’s race was won easily by David O’Flaherty from NewcastleAC, with Newcastle AC also winning the Comber Cup (team prize, top 6 men to count).

Our OAC runners were well supported by the crowd and chief OAC cheerleader Darren Moffett, and I was particularly grateful to Willowfield for the use of their gazebo to hide from the elements (although it was a poor substitute for Brian Todd’s campervan). Tea, sandwiches, sausages and mash were provided afterwards at the prize giving. Prizes were distributed by Ballydrain legend and TV star 91 year old John McKeag.

Thanks to our neighbour club Ballydrain Harriers for a well organised event. Hopefully next year we will have more Darren the Deer vests taking part.