Queens University Road Races
Report by John T Glover
The Annual Queen’s University road races took place on a remarkably still and dry evening and once again saw a large representation from the Sky Blue and Navy with 34 runners toeing the line in one of the three races on offer.
First away were the 3K field starting like the other two races on the Annadale side of the river and racing towards the Ormeau Bridge which, when crossed, led to the Stranmillis side and what would eventually be the home straight (actually a bend). As the lead cyclist appeared out of the gloom it was clear that a Lagan Valley vest was not far behind and as they passed the bell it was Adam Harrison who had already imposed himself on the rest of the field non doubt buoyed up by his Gold Medal winning performance in the 1500 metres at the NI and Ulster Indoor Championships the previous weekend in Dublin. The girls were led by Aoife Magee and the two youngest club runners Georgina Garland and Beibhinn Bourke were were also putting in good performances. It was not only the Juniors who were impressing as Joe Frey ran an impressive 16:09 and Kate Bradley made a welcome return to competition.
The 5K runners were split into two races based on predicted times and with the event doubling as the Northern Ireland and Ulster 5K Road Championships the first race was stacked with quality athletes. As they passed the finish for the first time, over a Kilometre into the race, Osin McGloin and Jack McCausland were with the leading group followed by Noah Harper, Stephen Lunn and Rory Armstrong. The girls were led by Marianne Doherty and Katie Keown and a fast improving Hannah Cochrane.
In the end 11 of our 5K runners came away with lifetime bests but it was the team results which caused great excitement. While it took a couple of days to sort out the results the Lagan Valley men’s team of Oisin, Jack, Noah and Stephen finished a superb 2nd to take Silver Championships medals. The girls, Marianne, Katie, Hannah and the evergreen Shileen O’Kane, while missing out on the podium still did remarkably well finishing fourth ahead of several hotly tipped teams.
