Duffy and Graham aim for the Title at Dale Farm Protein Milk TQ10K

Former TQ10K Champion Conor Duffy (Glaslough Harriers) and AAI National Marathon and Half Marathon Champion Laura Graham (Mourne Runners) will start as favourites for the Dale Farm Protein Milk TQ10K this Sunday in Titanic Quarter (1.15pm). This year runners couldn’t get in quick enough to enter the prestigious 10K event, with the race numbers sitting at over 1400 prior to the race. Pack collection is available from Thursday 6^th (12.30-8.30), Friday 7^th (10.30-8.30) & Saturday 8^th (11-3) April at the Mary Peters Track, also on the day pack collection will be available at Titanic Quarter from 10.30am. Please note that entries on the day will have a surcharge added to them, and further race information can be found on www.athleticsni.org/Fixtures/Dale-Farm-Protein-Milk-TQ10K-and-1-Mile-Fun-Run.

The community focused race programme also offers a 1 Mile Run for all the family (starting at 12.30pm), providing a perfect atmosphere builder for the main event, which kicks off at 1.15pm.

In 2015, Northern Ireland and Ireland international Conor Duffy saw off Foyle Valley AC’s Scott Rankin to become TQ10K Champion in 31:36. The Glaslough Harriers man, who recently picked up a bronze medal at the NI & Ulster Senior XC in Lurgan, will be keen to regain his title after missing a podium place in 2016 when he finished fourth. 

However, despite starting as favourite, Conor will have to be in top form if he wants to finish ahead of the very man who edged him out of the podium places twelve months ago, Chris Madden (City of Lisburn AC).  Chris’ performance on the flat and fast roads of the Titanic Quarter last year appeared to catapult him to a new level – guided by coach Mark Kirk, he has gone on to pick up prizes at several prestigious events and just last month, recorded an excellent 31:07 at the SPAR Craic 10k in Belfast, finishing as runner up.

Triathlete Russell White (Dromore AC) has a 10k personal best of 31:00 which he set in England in 2016; should he get close to this time, he’ll play a prominent part in proceedings.  In-form David O’Flaherty (Newcastle AC) ran a 32:03 personal best for a podium place at Jimmy’s 10k last month and will be in the mix here, as will 2015 third place finisher Paul Barbour (Derry Track Club), who impressed at last week’s Omagh Half Marathon with a 1:13:10 finish for third place.

The ladies race will feature a host of in-form athletes, none more so than Mourne Runners’ Laura Graham.  After finishing third at the TQ10K in 2016 (in 35:21), the Kilkeel based athlete has improved her 10k personal best by almost a minute – it now sits at 34:28.  Two weeks ago, Laura smashed her 13.1-mile personal best to win the Larne Half Marathon in 1:16:59; the TQ10K will be her final outing prior to taking on the London Marathon in two weeks.

NI & Ulster Masters XC Champion Amy Bulman (Willowfield Harriers), who ran 36:50 at Jimmy’s 10k will be worth watching, as will North Down AC’s Rachel Gibson and City of Lisburn AC’s Maeve Lavery.  Rachel clocked 37:46 at the recent Jimmy’s 10k, while Maeve ran 37:40 at the SPAR Craic 10k last month.  Katie Moore (North Down AC) and Debbie Matchett (Ballydrain Harriers) will also feature at the front. 

As ever, all runners will receive a text message to their mobile phones once the race is over with details of their individual position, official times and category position. A LED screen will display every runner’s name, race position and time once they cross the finish line.

Each entrant will receive a special commemorative medal and a goody bag, alongside spot prizes on the day. Entry fees at pack collection are £20.00 for the 10K and £10.00 for the Junior Mile. Family option is available (2 adults & 2 Children) for £30.00. On the day registration for the 10K will be £25.00.