When I sat down to write this report two self-explanatory phrases immediately sprang to mind. The phrases were ‘there’s life in the old dog yet’ and ‘age before beauty’ and when I tell you that Billy Thompson not only won today’s Ballygally Handicap but also set the fastest time of the day you’ll immediately understand why. It’s entirely possible that this is not the first handicap that Billy has won but, if so, my memory doesn’t stretch back that far and the chances are that most current club members weren’t even members when, or if, it actually happened.
The race was run in bright but windy conditions over an eight mile course, which started opposite the rear entrance to Ballygally car part and took in a stretch of the Croft Rd, the Weyburn, the Drumnagreagh Rd and approximately three and a half miles of the Coast Rd before finishing across the road from the front entrance to the car park. The race’s distance probably explains why only eleven club members participated, but lack of numbers shouldn’t detract from the fact that each of the eleven runners turned in an excellence performance and thoroughly enjoyed the day. However, this latter fact may have more to do with the post-race tea and coffee and the buns and cake that Billy somehow managed to persuade Arleen to rustle up than with the ups and downs of the course and the headwind that greeted them when they turned onto the Coast Rd for the long run to the finish line.
I’m going for brevity in this report so I’ll not bore you with invented details of how the race went (Is that cheering I hear in the distance?) but it’s worth drawing attention to the fact that Billy’s winning time of 54:32 equates to
an average pace of 6:49 per mile, proof that the miles he puts in each week as part of his training for the upcoming Belfast Marathon are clearly paying dividends. A well-deserved second place went to Michelle Woods. Michelle’s time of 77:00, achieved in spite of a nasty fall a couple of weeks back, probably represents her best performance in a handicap since her success in the Boxing Day Handicap in 2023. Third place went to Philip Rennix in a time of 56:09, the second fastest of the day. Philip’s steady improvement since returning to running at the end of December after major surgery is great to see and, along with Martan Keane’s welcome return to racing after his heart issues in 2024, should give encouragement to any members struggling with their running. The third fastest time of the day, 56:33, was set by Alan Lockington (another welcome returnee to handicap racing), while Kirsty Sharratt’s time of 62:23 was fastest time by a lady. Full details of all the times and places are set out in the table below.
As always, thanks to Hastings Financial Services for their continued sponsorship of the handicap series; to Jackie for help with the handicap and timing; to Emmett, Ciara and Rory (Ruairi?) for marshalling; to Diane for organising the prizes and to Arleen for the very much appreciated tea, coffee and goodies. Apologies if I have missed anybody.
| Place | Name | H’cap | Race Time | Corrected Time |
| 1 | Billy Thompson | 22:00 | 76:32 | 54:32 |
| 2 | Michelle Woods | 00:00 | 77:00 | 77:00 |
| 3 | Philip Rennix | 22:30 | 78:39 | 56:09 |
| 4 | Andy Gregg | 20:30 | 78:46 | 58:16 |
| 5 | Eddie Finn | 04:00 | 79:00 | 75:00 |
| 6 | Kirsty Sharratt | 17:00 | 79:23 | 62:23 |
| 7 | Alan Lockington | 23:00 | 79:33 | 56:33 |
| 8 | Martan Keane | 20:10 | 81:31 | 61:21 |
| 9 | Matthew Johnston | 20:00 | 82:23 | 62:23 |
| 10 | Ashlyn Rodgers | 17:35 | 84:08 | 66:33 |
| 11 | David Johnston | 19:30 | 84:29 | 64:59 |
| John Steele* | – | – | 63:25 | |
| Kirsten Montgomery* | – | – | 64:34 | |
| Julane Keane* | – | – | 65:27 |
*Didn’t participate in the handicap but completed the course as part of a marathon training run.