CLARE BEATS THE WEATHER IN THE MAIDEN CITY 10 MILES
St Columb’s All Weather track was the appropriately named start and finish point for this testing 10 Mile race with a route that ran along the River Foyle, being visited by weather of all kinds during the period of the race on Saturday morning. It was described by those who travelled from EDAC as a mostly flat well marshalled course with 2 big climbs. The last 2 miles into the headwind, including the re – crossing of the Foyle via the Peace Bridge, tested the athletes to the limit,. Indeed it was difficult just keeping upright having to cross the river via the exposed New Foyle Bridge earlier. In a field of 1047 finishers Neil Curran’s superb 62.22 placed him 32nd overall while Gareth Reilly looks to have benefitted enormously from his cross country season by recording a PB of 71.04 for 130th place. Clare Carson’s time 78.25 was a PB by over 2 minutes and Kevin Kelly also struck a PB in 84.23. Congratulations to all.The medals were eye catching in terms of sheer size and provided a just reward for the efforts.
CARLINGFORD HALF
Organised in order to raise funds for St Brigid’s Special School in Dundalk, 26Extreme ran the event but just took costs- all excess went to school. Forecast was for rain to start at 11 so standing on start line & feeling some large (huge) drops was quite alarming. Thankfully didn’t really amount to much until the predicted rain time. The race started at the Yacht club & ran through the village before heading inland with the next 4 miles generally up hill before descending for 4 miles to the coast. There was a bit of a side / tail wind then but the last 3 miles were along the wide road back into Carlingford when the wind changed to a head wind & rain started. The end seemed like it would never come but as always it did, for all of the 863 runners that took part in the half marathon and 359 in 10K which started 30 minutes later.
THE LADIES SHINE WITHOUT THE SUN
Nuala Taylor clocked a brilliant time of 1.52.48 for her first half – not as glamorous a destination as husband John’s debut in Tel Aviv 2 weeks ago but puts both of them well on the way to their aim of doing Belfast Marathon. Patricia Galloway bravely finished in a time of 1.54.48 even though she picked up a niggle from mile 2. Marguerite Robinson was chuffed to get 1.49.19, her best road half marathon time in 5 years so her London Marathon training is well on track..
Marguerite Robinson, Patricia Galloway and Nuala Taylor in Carlingford for the Half Marathon
LURGAN PARK 5K/10K
This event was in aid of the Southern Area Hospice and was well supported. The only complaint seemingly that the 5K runners and walkers were let go first around the 2 lap route and runners found it very difficult to overtake which resulted in a very slow first lap. However the 3 EDAC members who took part – Donal Smith clocked 52:10, Kelly Smith (his daughter) 57:13 and Suzy Smith (his sister) 1:03:40, said they were all very happy with their Jimmy’s preparation so far.
EDAC PERFORMANCES AT THE ROLLERCOASTER RACES
The Rollercoaster Races were on offer on Saturday and many of our own athletes were running for their various schools so it was hard to spot who was who but they did themselves proud as always. The conditions were tough for as well as the hills of the Race Course there was a blustery wind and rain came in as the day went on. In P3 we had some of our youngest members who do not yet attend sessions but it was good to see them turn out to race. Conor McVeigh was 12th out of 16 and Bella Graham was an impressive 4th place in the P3 group. Alice Taylor well practised at the McGrady XC took the hills in her stride and came 11th in the same race. Jarlath Kearney looked confident as he took 3rd in the P4 and William Taylor and Luke Napier battled it out for 8th and 9th.
Jarlath Kearney 103 3rd in P3 race
P4 Girls – Lily Foster had a head to head battle all the way with Esther Hameen Smith of Lough View IPS losing by a mere second.
Lily Foster EDAC battling with Esther Hameen Smith Lough View IPS in the P4 Race
Caragh Moore was 7th looking very capable as she passed the stand. Maeve McNeill and Aoibheann McVeigh pushed each other on in the P5 race and came 6 and 7 at the finish with Kelsey Murray 4 seconds behind on their heels. Great running! Matthew Taylor was 9th in the P6/7 race holding on well at the longer 1K distance. Finn Gibney came in behind him having already done a parkrun that morning! In the P6/7 Girls Kari Foster was 2nd in a gutsy run where she found herself with a gap ahead and also behind and nothing to do but focus on the finish. In that same race Cara Napier ran well to come 5th with Anna Boyd a couple of seconds behind her. Joscelyn Wright finished a very respectable 9th out of 19. The final race 13 and Under was run as mixed boys and girls. It saw Anna Gardiner come over the line as first girl and in the same time as the winning boy! Kara Trainor was 2nd Girl and Anna Kearney was 4th. Oliver Robinson was 2nd boy home.They had a 1.5K to complete and in the worst if the weather so it was all the more commendable. A round up of results and photos is available on the East Down AC Juniors page on Facebook.
JIMMY’S TEN
So now it’s all eyes to the anticipated biggest ever turn out in Jimmy’s Ten on Sunday 17 March. Runners are reminded that NO ENTRIES WILL BE TAKEN ON THE DAY. But you’re all welcome to come and spectate as the lucky ones run their hearts out!
Joe Quinn & Alison Carroll
4 March 2019