Pegasus AC’s Peter Bell
put in a fine finish to the club’s 25th anniversary year by claiming an excellent podium position in the
harsh environment which is the Antarctic…
The ‘Ice Man’ from
Portstewart has had a year to remember both locally and internationally with a veteran 50 category win in the NI Grand Prix
Mountain Running Series but has become more known for his exploits in the snow and ice of the poles! Way back in the spring saw Peter and Paul Gray set off on their amazing journey to the North Pole International
Marathon, the world’s most northerly marathon. They both ran brilliantly, with Peter excelling in the -15oC
temperatures by coming in 5th runner with Paul coming home in 21st ending a remarkable spring for the
club. With the adrenaline still in his veins, Peter decided instantly to take
the opportunity of running at the Antarctic Marathon, run just before Christmas on the 20th December. The weather caused the race organisers a severe headache; with blizzards delaying the race start by a number
of days. With an ease in the weather, the organisers took the opportunity to
gear up the competitors and set them on their way despite the still truly inhospitable weather! Peter excelled in these truly harsh conditions, keeping up with the frontrunners for a large portion of
the race, eventually crossing the line in 3rd position (4.52.15) and only 10 minutes behind Belgium
athlete Marc De Keyser. Pegasus AC would like to congratulate Peter on his efforts
over the past year and on being a great ambassador for the Causeway area.
Local races over the Christmas
period produced pleasing results for the club. The North West Cross Country Championships
saw Chris Denton and Harry Reilly compete against 62 others for the prestigious title.
Chris managed a solid 23rd position (23:06) with Harry 5 places
back in 23:23. Pegasus also held its
Boxing Day Charity race in which well over £200 was raised. The 4.5 mile race
was won by Harry Reilly, with the whole field sweating off some of the season’s excesses!
New Year’s Day saw the
annual Race over the Glens kick off the 2008 season with 5 Pegasus runners make up the record 225 competitors. As ever, Chris Denton was the leading club runner with a very respectable 27th overall in 39:15. Harry ‘the marathon man’ Reilly gave 110% as he always does in coming
home in 45th with a time of 41:20. Belfast-based Michael Henry made
a welcome return to running after his agonising injury woes, with 83rd a definite come back result. Sonia Knox put in a fighting performance to finish 12th female runner in 46:34. Shirley Park just got the better of Ralph Thom with both coming home only 3 seconds apart in 54:44 and
54:47 respectively.
