Keeping on, Keeping on
As the Summer rolls on there is no sign of some folk taking a rest. It may be the holiday season but not where the sport of running is concerned. While not racing in any event as such, there were a number of seniors toiling away over the weekend. There are several in the Club hoping to take part in Belfast Half Marathon and then on to Dublin for the full distance. They are supporting each other well by joining forces for the “long slow run” and the craic seems to be sustaining them well. Training for these longer distances can be daunting mentally as well as physically and anything to take your mind off the pain and or tedium is well appreciated. Good luck with your goals! For others though the lure of a competition is hard to beat and this was a week with lots of action and something for everyone.
Track Stars in Fab Five
On Thursday it was the 4th of the Fab Five Series – a Track and Field series at Mary Peter’s Track hosted by Lagan Valley AC and sponsored by Firmus Energy. There was a great showing of EDAC juniors in all age groups. Anna Gardiner and Lauren Madine certainly made the most of the night with both taking on all 3 events that were available to them. In the U13 javelin they both fared well placing 6th and 7th respectively. They also gave the hurdles a rattle, with Lauren coming away with a fantastic second place and Anna holding her own in 7th. All the more commendable since both girls are novices at this event. The U13 800m saw a quartet of EDAC juniors take part. Lauren finished in 1st place with an impressive time of 2 minutes 31 closely followed by Anna in 2:34, and Lucy Foster in 2:39. Completing the quartet was Emily Burns in 2:52. In the U11 100m Ella Telford ran a superb race to finish first in her heat in 16.27 seconds (placing her 8th overall in the final timings) with Jodi Foster overall 10th (16.39) and sister Kari Foster in 18.08.
Oliver Robinson was the only boy to represent EDAC on the night and showed that a long lay of 5 weeks (whilst he was road tripping in the USA) had certainly not done him any harm. He completed the U13 100m in 15.24 seconds (5th overall). He also ran the 800m (claiming this was not his preference distance) coming 7th overall in 2 minutes 52. The last race of the night was the 3k. This was run as a mixed race combining both male and female and all ages from U15 up. Kirsti Foster’s first attempt at this distance saw her pace it well, finishing first in her age category (U15) in a great time of 11 minutes and 13 seconds.
Catherine O’Connor also competed in this event as the sole senior lady. Despite the lack of peer competition she gave it her best and produced a speedy time of 10:36. The next and final meet of this series takes place on 30th August. The onset of the Cross Country season will follow swiftly and it will be exciting to see the efforts on the track translate to performance in the muck.
Weekend Warriors travel far and wide
On Friday Night Gavin McConvey took on the Mallusk 5 mile. He was happy to record a PB (45.12) on that course bettering his previous time by nearly a minute. On Saturday EDAC athletes had a choice of venues and some picked well getting the best of the day weather wise, considering the gloom that followed. Davy and Joanne Foster took on the Slieve Croob 10k challenge in glorious sunshine. They conquered the steep course from Finnis to the mast and were pleased to report that the entry number was up from previous years. Davy ran a very good race to see him finish 6th overall and Joanne made the podium in her usual determined way – 3rd female- well done! Another one taking to the hills was Paddy McDonald. He travelled to Cushendall for the Lurig Mountain Challenge – a spectacular route with scenery to take your mind off the tough ascents. It took him 41 minutes to reach the finish point but he was satisfied with his performance when he recovered and even more pleased to have beaten the rain.
Davy and Joanne Foster at Slieve Croob Challenge
Battling the Elements
Back home as the day went on, the weather took a severe down turn and as a result the long planned air show in Newcastle was cancelled. Not so for the runners, as Lecale 10k went ahead despite the deteriorating conditions. Another husband and wife duo represented the Club at this event. John and Nuala Taylor braved the blustery rain to get a medal and Nuala managed to come home with a trophy for 3rd placed Female so they felt their efforts were justly rewarded. John completed the course in 54.44 which put him in 16th place and Nuala was 1.15 behind him. A stalwart group of 50 took part.
Nuala and John Taylor after a wet 10k – Lecale
Dublin for Donal for a bit of Rock’n’Roll
On then to Sunday where again there was a choice of venue and distance. The Dublin Rock’n’Roll Half Marathon is a lively colourful event and Donal Smith chose this as his debut at the distance. He reported that the organisation was spot on and he enjoyed the bands playing at intervals along the course. He mustn’t have dallied too long to listen to them though as he finished in a very respectable 1 hour 55 minutes. This is a great encourager for him. As a recently joined member he is enjoying the company of others as he builds his fitness and will surely give the cross country a go when that discipline recommences.
Donal Smith happy to have made his half marathon debut in Dublin at the Rock n Roll Event
Picnic in the Park
On Sunday afternoon, the Subway “Helping Hearts” 5K attracted over 1600 people with East Down AC well represented. The Proctor-Amos and Foster families plus Patricia Carson and family, Shane and Cormac O’Hare and family as well as Callum Kent all showed up in the Ormeau Park. With a free lunch on offer who wouldn’t take part!!! Another EDAC showing was Gavin Hynds who found that he didn’t need to ask twice to get his family out in force and in fact Ella his daughter claimed to have been looking forward to it all Summer. Well done Ella and Dillon for getting Mum and Dad to take part. You are setting a great example. This event supports Heart Research UK so it is a worthy cause as well as a fun day out.
Dillon, Kerrie, Gavin and Ella Hynds pleased to get their medals
The Carson and O’Hare families enjoying the day out
The Fosters ready for action
Gareth Amos, Linda Proctor- Amos and family with David Quinn at the Ormeau Park
Alison Carroll and Joanne Foster