COMBER CUP
Ballydrain Harriers were the the hosts for the Comber Cup Cross Country on Sunday 21 November. It was the second race to be held at the Billy Neill Playing Fields in Comber this season, but the map indicated that the runners would follow a completely different route than the previous visit. At first this seemed like a reprieve from the multiple hills that featured in the Bobby Rea event 4 weeks ago but in the end , the new course was declared just as challenging if not more so. In fact some said that it was one of the toughest race they had done in a long time. This was due mostly to a long, very arduous hill along the back straight but there were also some very tricky tight turns which were treacherous. There was a long downhill which some used as recovery but others saw this as a chance to gain places and they threw caution to the wind, flinging themselves down the descent in an alarming fashion. The spectators had plenty to watch and saw the runners several times per lap.
JUNIOR RACE
Mackenzie Murray found it hard to get himself into the groove in the U16/18 race and despite coming 2nd overall, he felt that his performance was under par. Looking back at how well he ran in Ballyclare recently, it is hard to argue with this self assessment. In any case he is sure to go out with intent on his next outing to get a better showing.
JOHN McKEAG CUP
Although the overall event is referred to as the Comber Cup in fact it is only the men who are in for that trophy. The women compete in the John McKeag Cup. John, who was a stalwart member of Ballydrain, recently passed away in his 99th year. He was beloved by all and was a valued friend of East Down AC, so it was great to see so many race in his name. The women as usual had the company of the men aged 60 and over and East Down had 7 females and Wayne Giles in for this race. The whistle blew and there was some jostling for position but the first five minutes sorted that out. Before long the colourful stream of athletes could be seen swinging into the dreaded hill for the first time. The women had 3 laps to complete (5.5K).
First home for EDAC was Deirdre Weatherall in 20th place in the 141 strong entry in 24.15. She professes to hate cross country but had been enticed back by the many photos of smiling faces at cross country this season. She enjoyed the camaraderie, raced well despite less consistent run training than she would like and left saying that was her done with grass for one year. Let’s hope the post race cake might tempt her back. Steph Graham was next to cross the line for the club in 25.07. She is a new addition to the EDAC ranks having transferred from City of Lisburn AC. It was idly rumoured that her recent marriage to club member Gordy Graham had cited this move in a pre nuptial contract but in reality it came down to her now being closer to Downpatrick than her previous training grounds. While she is sad to leave her previous longterm club, she knows that she will be warmly welcomed by all in East Down. She had a good strong run and was pleased to have performed well in her first time in the new vest. Next was Sharon Madine (25.42) who nailed it in her usual business like way. She is a born racer and always gives 100%. Wayne Giles a bit further back in 27.11 navigated his way nimbly through the muddy bits and took the hill in his stride. For someone new to the sport, he is a quick learner and seems to improve with every race. Maureen Kelly who followed him in had clearly learnt from her pacing error in Ballyclare. She went out in a measured fashion and was rewarded with a much more comfortable experience. In fact she had enough left in the tank for a sprint to the line in 28.54. Alison Carroll has enjoyed the xc season so far but despite her newfound enthusiasm for off road running, she was glad to see the finish line when it finally came (30.30). Ella Carroll was next in (31.37) and while she didn’t particularly enjoy it, she has signed up to race again next weekend in a bid to have another crack at it. Shortly after Aine Grant crossed the line in 32.36. She was there as a complete novice and is to be commended on her fortitude. She stuck to her own rhythm and finished without mishap. Last but not least was Sam Anderson who had returned after her inaugural event in Ballyclare. She concurred with the others that this was a much tougher course but she was glad to have taken part nonetheless.
OVER TO THE MEN
The women had barely time to alert their male club mates to the steepness of the hill and the slippy state of the corners before they were set loose. With extra laps to make it 8K the men had a challenge ahead. Neil Curran ran especially well, tucking in to a bunch and even though he took a tumble he was so quickly back on his feet he managed to stay in the mix. He stayed in and around the same place throughout but had to find a last gasp to sprint to the line to make the top 20. He also secured the Male 35 prize with his time of 30.52. Great effort, Neil! 
Dee Murray looked happy to be out and ran a solid race (35.02) putting him 87th out of 205. Stephen Heasley who was meant to be taking it easy, was fairly flying both up and down hill finishing in 38.00. The next EDAC man, Mark O’Connor had run consistently, ticking off the laps in his own rhythm and timed in as 38.57. Eamon Kelly seems to be getting into the way of cross country running and took it steady playing the long game. He looked almost comfortable in 40.46. James Magennis despite having been in the club for some years had never done a cross country. He found it hard going and looked slightly stunned on the line (44.35) but once he got his breath back he was keen to confirm that he will race again in the next one. 
LONDON XC CHAMPIONSHIPS
Aaron McGrady and Hannah Somani took part in the London Cross Country Championships on Saturday. This event on Parliament Hill attracts huge numbers and a high class field. To quote Aaron, “the competition was serious. I ran 70 seconds quicker over this course than two years ago. I was 10th then and 27th yesterday.” Most were relieved that the going was firm as the 10.5k would have been even more brutal if it had been very muddy. Hannah is still finding her speed after her London Marathon efforts so was happy enough with 92nd place overall.
EDAC JUNIORS
All Ireland Evens XC at Santry, Dublin.
EDAC had three runners who made the trip to Santry, Dublin to race against the top cross-country runners in the All Ireland Championships. Selection for the this was achieved either by finishing in the top 12 at the Ulster & NI Evens selection races or by being part of the top three club or top three county teams. Finn Gibney and Alex Robinson qualified as part of the U14 Down team. Oliver Robinson gained his selection as part of the U16 County Down team.
So far this season it is fair to say that the weather has been unusually kind for cross country. Although the temperature had dropped considerably over the previous days with a biting wind, the sun shone and the ground was dry so it was still more than acceptable.
The U14 Boys’ Race was a total distance of 3000m made up of a short start loop followed by two 1050m larger loops on an undulating course. Both EDAC boys had a steady race. Alex, who is young for this category came 78th out for a field of 162 competitors. Finn, who was experiencing his first All Irelands came in safe in 149th.
Ollie has more experience with the tussles at the start of cross-country races and so he fared well. His race was 4000m with one extra 1050m lap added on the U14 distance. A big group of forty or so runners stayed together for the first 2000m, only spacing out as the race progressed. It can be tricky to keep your footing when you are running in such a tight pack but Ollie held his ground. He was really pleased with his race the fact that he felt comfortable. He came 38th out of 129 runners, leading in the Down team ahead of some that he has previously behind. All in all a successful trip for the three boys. Well done!
MUD OR ROAD?
The next two events have split the runners in the club with those seeking a fast time on the road at the Seeley Cup on December 4th choosing to bypass the cross country on offer this coming Sunday. EDAC will still have a good number of representatives at the Malcolm Cup this weekend with 5 women and 7 men signed up to take part. The beauty of running is that there is something for everyone. If you fancy seeing what might suit you, please contact membership@eastdownac.co.uk to find out how to join in. There are “try before you buy” sessions every Monday and Thursday so what are you waiting for!