McCONNELL SHIELD X/C AT BALLYCLARE

The McConnell Shield hosted by East Antrim Harriers took place in the scenic setting of the Sixmilewater Park in Ballyclare on Saturday past. It was a perfect autumnal day with glorious colours in the trees and a balmy 10 degrees which was welcome after the sharpness of the temperatures in the previous week. Numbers were lower than at the Comber Cup perhaps as a result of this not being a League Fixture, though hopefully this will be redressed next season, but those who turned up enjoyed a well organised set of races with Junior U14 and U16 preceding the 2 Senior Races. 

ALISON FIRST, SECOND or LAST?

Alison Carroll had decided that a race was as good a way as any to get in a few weekend miles  and duly turned up to take part. The lack of a team or indeed any other EDAC ladies meant that she was guaranteed to be first EDAC Lady home. It also meant that she was guaranteed to be last EDAC lady home depending on how you view things, providing she actually finished the race. The course is one of the less demanding on the circuit but with 3 laps taking in a few twists in the forested area it was still a useful outing and she not only made it home safely with a few stragglers behind her but also took 2^nd place in the Female 55 category. The first lady home overall was Sarah Lavery of Beechmount Harriers leading her club mates home to take the Team Prize.

THE MEN’S TEAM

The Men’s race as usual went off at good pace before the leaders settled in for the 5 loops with the group at the front petering out into ones and twos as runners found their own rhythm. EDAC fielded a team by virtue of Donal Smith adding his name to the list at late notice. Gordy Graham was keen to try his hand at XC and looked like he was enjoying the experience. He ran with Neil Curran for the first lap and then a slight gap developed between the two team mates as Gordy eased ahead. Neil however was not for letting him out of his sight and in the end only 5 seconds separated them. Gordy (21st overall) recorded 30.38 to Neil’s 30.43. Jimmy Sloan a new recruit to the Club was not sure how he would go. Although he felt he could have paced it better he was pleased with 30th position in 31.21. Donal gamely hung on to complete the final lap and crossed the line in 77th position. The race was won by Eskander Turki of Annadale with John-Paul Williamson of City of Derry Spartans 2nd and Scott Rankin of Foyle Valley third all three finishing inside 28 minutes. The McConnell Shield was won by Acorns AC.

SUCCESS FOR AARON IN NORTH LONDON

Across the water Aaron McGrady was also involved in Cross Country in the form of the North London Championships. Following on from a successful Oxford half marathon in which he set a new PB and his recent visit home when he came 7th in the Mourne skyline, this was his first XC outing of the year. After a comfortable first half on a flat but muddy course of 5 miles, he broke from the lead group in a concerted burst then managed to hold off the chasers to take the win. He was pleased with this as an indicator of form as it followed a week of total rest and is sure to be a morale booster as he lines up a top effort in the Seeley Cup on 30 November.

MINNOW BURN RUN FOREST RUN 5K

The 2019 renewal of the Belfast Telegraph Run Forest Run 5K at Minnowburn proved to the liking of the 3 East Down runners who took part, with Lauren Madine just pipping her clubmate Anna Gardiner for first Female prize, second place overall, both being accorded the same time 19.48, only 7 seconds behind the winner, while Lauren’s mum Sharon, maintained her recent good form by taking 11^th place overall, 4^th placed Female, in 22.37 out of 167 finishers.

NEXT WEEK

The Uneven Age Group Cross Country Championships and the Bobby Rea International Cross Country League Fixture will be held next weekend on Saturday 9 November 2019 at the Billy Neill MBE Country Park, Dundonald over the permanent international cross country course, commencing at 11.45 with the Girls Under 15 race over 3000 metres. The Girls and Boys Under 11 races have been switched to 2.00pm and 2.10pm respectively to facilitate anyone in that age group who is also undertaking the transfer test in the morning.

Best wishes to all those involved in the tests and also to EDAC’s Sinead Sweeney and Newcastle’s Patrick McNiff who have been selected to represent NI and Ulster in the Women’s and Men’s International races at the same venue at 2.50pm and 3.15 pm respectively. 

Co. DOWN 5K

On Sunday 17 November the action switches to the tarmac again as the Co Down 5K takes place in the County Town, with entries in all the categories and races open at www.athleticsni.org . This event has been increasing in popularity since its inception 3 years and local runners are advised to enter as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Further information is available from Andrew Telford on 07771985042 or www.andrewtel84@gmail.com 

Joe Quinn & Alison Carroll

4 November 2019