Perfect conditions at the Armagh International Road Races
Whilst most of the UK battled with freezing temperatures, snow and ice, the city of Armagh in Northern Ireland was treated to perfect running conditions last night. The PUMA Armagh International Road Races took place on a relatively warm, drizzly and still evening and so the runners and spectators were out in force to celebrate running at its best. This annual event attracts runners from all over the world to join local runners, testing their endurance and speed around the 1km loop that makes up the Mall. The children race over distances from 400m to 2400m, the men and women race over 3km with an elite men's race of 5km.
It is clear to see that the sport of running is at the heart of this city and the name Armagh is derived from its running history.
Legend says that Macha was the wife of Chronn son of Adhnaman who made the mistake of boasting about what a fantastic runner his wife was. He claimed she could run faster than the horses of Conchubhar, King of Ulster. On the pain of instant death for this perceived insult to the king, Macha was forced, despite being pregnant, to make good her husband's boast and had to run against the king's horses. According to the story she won easily, but so great was the effort required that on crossing the line she gave birth to a son and daughter and died almost immediately afterwards. The children became known as the Twins of Macha, or in Irish, Eamhain Macha, from which came eventually the anglicised placename, Armagh.
Last night the spectators witnessed more great feats of athleticism with both the men's and women's course records coming tantalisingly close to being broken. Lizzie Adams, from Hallamshire won the women's race after battling all the way with Sarah Porter from the USA. Lizzie broke away on the last lap to cross the line in 9:16.43 and Sarah followed behind in 9:24.90. Lizzie's current runbritain handicap score stands at 1.1 and is edging closer and closer to scratch.
Photo courtesy of Liam McArdle www.LiamMcArdle.com
The men's race also saw the victor break away on the last lap. James Wilkinson from Leeds was running in a big group that contained Jonny Mellor and James Walsh along with Americans, Michael Crouch, Landon Peacock and Brian Harvey. The top four all broke 14 minutes and James won in 13:54.97 which is sure to bring his runbritain handicap score down from MINUS 3.8 where is currently stands.
Photo courtesy of Liam McArdle www.LiamMcArdle.com
Sponsors, PUMA, were delighted with the result. For the first time in six years of supporting this high quality race, runners from Team Puma were first across the line in both the men's and women's events.
The men's and women's records still stand at 13:54 (David Nightingale, 2009) and 9:15 (Kate Reed, 2006) respectively.
Results can be seen here.