CARRY ON UP THE CAUSEWAY 10K, HALF, MARATHON or ULTRA
Stephen Heasley took on the ultra which starts on Benone Strand and goes to Portballantrae then out to Ballintoy and returns to Portballantrae – 40 miles of madness which he said was “somewhat” eased by the scenery, which he clearly wasn’t spending much time looking at to judge by his time of 8h 25m!! Linda Cunningham completed the marathon distance Portballantrae to Ballintoy and back in 6h 26m. Sean Sealey (in the company of his wife Susan) stuck with running the mere 13.1 miles Half together with perennial competitors Eithne McGrattan and Bernice McCann who both completed 4.06.01,while Sean and Susan finished in 3.15.09. Though the weather was perfect, on this type of terrain the running is never easy and the times are purely incidental.. WELL DONE ALL!
DOUBLE DIPPERS
Sean was one of 4 members who pushed the boat out by doing back to back events. He also tackled Belfast Half the day after Causeway this time in the company of the EDAC squad many of whom are on the build up to Dublin Marathon next month. He reckons that the supply of cakes and goodies at the Causeway event made Saturday good value for money as he made sure to avail of every opportunity at the feed stations. He attributes his ability to do the second event to this considered approach but doubts that he would have managed a third race today. Two is plenty!
Clare Carson and Kevin Kelly ran Dublin and Belfast Half Marathons on consecutive days. Clare managed an age group win in Dublin and said that Dublin event was very scenic as it was set within Phoenix Park. She felt that both events deserved commendation for the organisation.
BLACKROCK 4 MILES
On Saturday evening at the Stephen Carroll/Captain Mark Duffy Blackrock 4 Miler Donal Smith used it as a warm up for the Belfast Half the following day. His 31.16 was 7 minutes quicker than last year over the 2 lap route which is some improvement! Carmel Tumelty also continued her build up to peak fitness in the same event clocking 35.11 while Francis recorded 23.34.
BELFAST HALF MARATHON
The EDAC squads gathering in the Ormeau Park for the Belfast Half Marathon
The EDAC squads gathering in the Ormeau Park for the Belfast Half Marathon
The 6th running of the Belfast City Half Marathon on Sunday morning was again blessed with ideal conditions as the predictions of weather people across the country failed to materialise and runners were greeted by a nippy but sunny morning. A light cool breeze also welcomed early arrivals but it was pleasant in the sun. And then at 9.00am the record numbers of over 4,000 took to the streets and the city came alive. Kenyan Gideon Kipsang had little trouble in defending his crown and led all the way to come home in 1.07.48, well ahead of 2nd place Vincent McKenna Acorns AC 1.11.44 and 3rd man to finish Karol Doherty Letterkenny AC 1.11.11, who was only just caught by McKenna on the run in.
GORDY LEADS WAY FOR EAST DOWN
A superb time of 1.15.33 by Gordy Graham was to set the marker for an extraordinary morning of running success for East Down athletes. Not only was it a PB but gained him an eye catching 11th overall place. Other performances of note were Martin Willcox 1.21.03 and Paul Burns 1.21.34 closely followed by Davy Foster 1.24.09 and Dermot Cahill 1.26.46. Next man to finish was “little” Johnny Erskine who revealed what he has been doing since I last saw him running competitively for the juniors a few years ago, mainly growing into a strapping young man able to look down on most of us now. He practically set the tarmac alight with a tremendous time of 1.28.42, a really exciting run from a novice junior on his debut at the distance.
NIAMH STARS FOR THE LADIES
Just behind Johnny came Niamh Kellett 1.28.59 in 234th place, our first lady to finish, and another battling performance by this tough as nails young woman. Deirdre Weatherall was our next lady finisher, setting a new PB of 1.32.22 and indeed I could go on all night writing about the PBs which were set up and also mentioning the great runs of Paul Lloyd, James Magennis, Kevin Kelly, Clare Carson, Cathy Burke, Mags Flynn, Tom McClean etc. etc. and how good it is to see Mark McDowell back looking fitter and stronger than ever, but time and space does not permit. You all know who you are and how you did. And all I can say is that I really enjoyed watching everyone not only running well but enjoying it too. My old legs were eager to join you but unfortunately not to carry me with them!!
Cathy Burke, Mags Flynn, Joanne Carson and Sean Sealey after the Belfast Half Marathon
HALLIE and KERRY’S FIRST HALF
Hallie Jennings the only EDAC runner I missed seeing flashing past on Sunday, though I also missed the leader and eventual winner leaving the Park too, I must have blinked at least twice, was excellent in her tackling and taming of the route as she completed her first ever Half Marathon. Not only that but her time of 1.45.32 was more than good enough to ensure she grabbed 981st place in a field of over 4,000.
Kerry Sharvin-Hynds Gavin’s wife who “won” a place in the Half Marathon through her work in Translink had just 8 weeks to get from couch, basically doing nothing of a running nature at all to being able to run 13.1 miles. She displayed huge determination not just to undertake such a challenge but to complete it. While her time was probably the last thought in her head her achievement is right up there with all those runners who attained PBs. We actually believe that her time of 3.04.59 is phenomenal in the circumstances. So move over Gavin, Kerry is a comin’!!
Kerry Sharvin Hynds – delighted to finish her first half marathon
GREAT CRAIC
Overall the camaraderie at the club gazebo on Sunday before and after the event was the stand out feature for the EDAC contingent and bodes well for the X/C season ahead. It is indeed great to have a bit of craic with your fellow team mates. I didn’t get to join in with that due to marshalling duties elsewhere and my only ache today is in my throat which was hoarsened yesterday cheering on your achievements. Thank you all and Well done.
Joe Quinn & Alison Carroll
23 September 2018