Ardglass 5 and 10k

Last Wednesday saw the Ardglass 5k & 10k road races part of the local festival, this is a great local event which attracts many local runners. The course is undulating to say the least so PBs would be few and far between, and with warm conditions it would be a tough outing.

In the 5k East Down had six athletes on the start line. Adam Morgan was the first across the line in 19 min 58 sec, next in was Dillion Hynds, this young man has had some great results of late and will be happy with his time of 21 min 24 sec. Club stalwart Tom Mclean was next home in 24 min 48 sec. Another junior that took on the challenge was Alice Taylor coming in 25 min 38 sec with mum Nuala in the same time, Alice picking up the junior prize. Aine Grant was the final red and yellow vest across the line in the 5k, Aine is an old hand at this event and came in 28 min dead.

Continue reading →

Portaferry 10 Mile road Race

Last Tuesday evening saw local athletes head to the Ards Peninsula for the Portaferry 10 mile road race, part of the local summer Gala. The conditions were warm and the rain had held off. The route covers the coastal roads and country lanes of the local area, there are some good flat sections of the course, but also a number of hills of different ascents and distances that can take the edge of a runner’s pace. With 223 runners in the 10 mile race and 70 relay teams on the start line the race was set and from the gun EDACs Caroline MacNabb headed to to the front where she stayed, Caroline has been in great form of late and ran a strong race crossing the finish line 1st lady and 13th overall in a time of 1 hr 01 min 37 sec, not to far behind was Neil Curran, Neil has ran this course many a time and enjoyed his run come in 18th spot clocking 1 hr 03 min 33 sec.

Dee Murray was the next red and yellow vest over the line he also knows this event very well and will be happy with his 30th position in 1 hr 05 min 58 sec. Barrie Atkinson was the next finisher with a strong run off 1 hr 08 min 22 sec. Sharon Madine was the final East Down athlete to cross the line, Sharon takes on any challenge and as ever put in a strong run finishing in 123rd position in a time 1 hr 20 min 55 sec. Some great results and a great local event, well done all.

Born to Run Sea to Sky 10k

Friday evening saw the 12th running of Born to Runs Sea2Sky 5 and 10k race. This event boasts an awesome route starting on the promenade in Newcastle and includes a mix of road and track before heading up through the foothills of the Mournes, where the runners will be rewarded by the stunning views over Newcastle and beyond before descending to the finish on the promenade. 841 runners from across N Ireland toed the start line for the 10k event, with dry conditions EDAC had one athlete taking on this challenge, Anna Gardiner has had an amazing couple of years on the track and in the cross country leagues and is in great form and carried this onto the road and trails in this event. From the gun Anna stayed with the front pack and that’s where she stayed for the whole race, crossing the finish line in 4th position, 1st lady in an amazing time of 40 min 06 secs, great running from this young lady, good luck to Anna in her future ventures.

Galbally 5 mile and 5k race

On Sunday morning the Galbally 5 mile and 5 k events based in the heart of Tyrone, is one of the local highlights in the road racing calendar with over 500 participants and growing year on year.

The races begin and end at Galbally Community Centre, where runners are treated to some of the local hospitality and live entertainment that this event has become renowned for.

The course has rolling hills which means some climbs mixed with some extremely fast downhill sections. EDAC had the nomadic running team of Suzy and Patrick Smith with Eamon Kelly to keep them company. Patrick and Eamon were taking on the 5 miler and were pleased with their races with Eamon coming in 76th position out of 275 runners in a time of 37 min 24 sec, Patrick was not far behind in 158th spot clocking 44 min 11 sec. Suzy took on the shorter distance and put in a great run crossing the line in 28 min 18 sec, 54th position out of 134 runners in the 5k. This is a great social event and is one for the diary for next year, but remember to bring you running and dancing shoes with you.

Beer & Bubbles 5k

On a Sunny Wednesday evening, saw the running of the M.B. McGrady & Co Beer and Bubbles 5k run and walk, this popular local running event takes in the hills and trails of Finnebrogue Woods with the finish line next to the picturesque lake where every finisher can enjoy a beer, glass of prosecco or a soft drink in these beautiful surroundings. This event is in aid of PiP Sucide Prevention Charity, which is a great cause.

EDAC had eight athletes on the start line, and from the off James Wright headed to the front where he did battle with the winner of the race Fintan Murray, James pushed hard but came in second spot in a time of 21 min 27 sec. Second East Down vest to cross the line and first lady home was Sharon Madine who knows the event well and will be pleased with a time of 23 min 51 sec. One placed behind and after his PB at Crossgar last week was Eamon Kelly with a solid 23 min 53 sec. In 20th position was Patrick Smith with a great time off 27 min 22 sec. Second lady home was Clare Forester in 27 min 39 sec with Maureen Kelly not too far behind in 28 min 14 sec, Wayne Giles was next in 33rd spot crossing the line in 30 min 12 sec. Susie Smith enjoys this race and the surroundings and will be happy with a time of 36 min 58 sec. Continue reading →

Lisburn 10k and Half Marathon

Wednesday saw the annual Lisburn Vitality Half marathon and 10k road race. This is a very popular event and both races start and finish at Lagan Valley LeisurePlex taking in the town centre before covering the roads and  lanes of the local countryside. The Half Marathon was the first race off and East Downs Leanne Spick was the only representation from the club, with warm dry conditions 966 runners hit the roads. Leanna was going well until 10 mile point when a bad cramp ambushed her making the last 3 miles very uncomfortable for her. Leanne dug deep and crossed the line in 2 hr 12 mins.

In the 10k Ashley McGrady was the only red and yellow vest on the start line with the other 1124 runners. And with the warm conditions Ashley will be happy with her time of 56 min 12 sec. Well done to both of the girls. Continue reading →

Hill & Dale Race 9 Meels

Last Thursday evening saw the penultimate race in the Hill and Dale series. After a day of  heavy rain the race directors took the decision to cut the race short for the safety of the athletes taking part. The race started with the normal climb up Spellack with the ascent to Meelmore tower, Then the descent to the saddle between Meelmore and Meelbeg. Normally the runners would then climb to the summit of Meelbeg, but due to the poor ground conditions the competitors were sent down towards the finish. The course was still 4 miles long with 1 500 feet of climb so no easy task with very wet and boggy conditions.

Three brave EDAC athletes took on this wet challenge, Matthew Taylor was the first to cross the finish line in 167th position with a time of 1hr 05 mins great effort from one of our juniors. Husband and wife team Kieran and Lesley Keown have enjoyed their first season on the hills, but stuck together for this race finishing together in 1 hr 26 mins, a tough night for all the runners.

Co Down 5k Road Race

Friday evening saw local athletes descend on Downpatrick town center for the fastest, flattest 5k around which is organized by Tels Fitness Studio. The evening is broken down into four race categories depending on the runner’s pace and what they are hoping to achieve. The course consists of 7 and a half laps of the town center which is great for the spectators.This year the Co Down 5k was raising funds for Air Ambulance NI in memory of Jamie ‘Jay’ Marks.

   East Down AC always turns out for this great local event and had 7 runners young and old in the second race. With the rain holding off the second race was off with 80 athletes taking on the laps of the town. First in for EDAC was Darryl Glennon in 21 min 32 sec, Sharon Madine was not too far behind in 22 min 08 sec third placed lady across the line. Dillion Hynds has had a great week, first was awarded St Patrick’s Grammars athlete of the year then third EDAC member across the line in 22 min 16 sec. The ever young Declan Teague normally goes for the longer distance, but took on the shorter challenge coming in 22 min 21 sec. Carl Keenan was next in and was happy with his time of 24 min 02 sec, not too far behind Carl was Declan Hampton in 24 min 32 sec. Bringing up the rear in the second race was Patrick Smyth and crossed the line in 25 min 18 sec. A great first race for the club members.

The last race of the night saw 5 EDAC runners take on this faster category. Matt Bezzant from the gun headed to the front and tried to keep with the front runners and was pleased with his 14th position in a time of 18 min 08 sec. Daniel Giles who has been in great form of late put in another strong race in 18 min 16 sec. Old Hand Dee Murray was next red and yellow vest across the line in 19 min 15 sec. Adam Morgan put in a strong run and enjoyed his night with a run of 19 min 49 sec. The only EDAC lady in this race was Deirdre Weatherall, who has had some great results recently, coming in 20 min 48 sec. 

The Elite race was won by Newcastle AC Robbie Hagen after a sprint finish with Annadales Johnny Craig in a time of 15 min 12 sec, a great race and a great time.

Hill & Dale Race 7 Millstone

Race 7 of the Hill & Dale series is Millstone, this may not be one of the highest of the Mourne peaks but is certainly among the steepest, with most runners resorting to all fours to climb above the quarry before a technical descent into the forest and the finish line at Donard Park. Four EDAC members took on this steep 500 m elevation 8.5km challenge on Thursday. This was Paul Brear Clarkson first outing this season and he took the bull by the horns with a top ten finish coming in 7th position in a great time of 40 min 46 sec. Next to cross the finish line was Kieran Keown who is enjoying the challenge of the series and will be happy with his time of 54 min dead 104th position. Not too far behind was old hand John Taylor in 114th spot clocking 55 min 06 sec. Lesley Keown who like her husband is enjoying her first season on the mountains had another strong run placing 241st position in 1 hr 16 min.

Continue reading →