ULSTER SCHOOLS XC AT MALLUSK
On the 9th of February some of the East Down AC juniors headed to Mallusk for the Ulster Schools Cross Country Championships. On this occasion they were running in school colours rather than the red and yellow of East Down AC but several of the club coaches were in attendance and watching with interest. The athletes had to qualify for the honour of racing at this level through an individual top 12 place or as part of a team that came in the top 3 at the District Qualifiers.
Although the course was fairly flat and the ground mostly firm underfoot, the long flat stretches were interspersed with a sharp, slippy rises and muddy turns so runners had to choose whether to run wide for safer footing or risk slipping by following the shortest route. The squally showers and very strong gusty winds were an added challenge.
YEAR 8 and 9
Jessica Martin (Year 8) representing Victoria College Belfast over a distance of 1700m came 27th out of a field of 113 runners in a time of 7.59. Year 9 Girls (Minors) had 4 EDAC runners in the pack; Erin Moore, Cara Napier and Charlotte Barr. Erin and Charlotte had qualified as part of the Down High School team and placed 84th and 101 respectively in times of 10.09 and 11.07. Cara (Assumption Grammar school) was there as an individual qualifier and placed 44th in a time of 9.28. Alex Robinson (Down High School) ran in the Minor Boys 2300m race. He had achieved his place by coming 5th in the Districts in Delamont. As is common in cross country, the distances are different for male and female. Often it is debated whether this discipline should adopt gender equality but on the day the ladies often are glad to settle for a shorter run. Alex had a steady race and placed 14th out of 132 runners in the biggest field of the day. This earns him an individual qualifying place for the All Irelands which will take place back at Mallusk on the 12th March.
INTERS AND SENIORS
The Inter Boys’ Race (4700m) had 101 runners made up of Years 11 and 12 boys combined. The 3 larger loops meant running into the head wind three times. EDAC trio of James Wright, Jacob Crawford and Oliver Robinson all lined up for Down High School. Oliver and Jacob as 7th and 13th respectively in the Districts were individual qualifiers. James was there as part of the DHS silver medal winning team. Jacob had a very well-paced race and came a creditable 16th in a time of 18.20. Oliver found the going very hard having just recently recovered from COVID but kept going to finish in 27th in 18.46. James finished in 50th in 19.45. The boys were rewarded for their efforts by getting the bronze team medal for Down High which also gives them the opportunity to run in the All Irelands. All these boys have another year in this category.
Isabelle Perry, running placed 24th out of 75 runners in the Senior Girls’ Race(years 13 and 14) . Her Down High School Team won the gold team medal. Mackenzie Murray ran in the Senior Boys’ Race over what seems like a huge distance of 6200m. He placed 28th out of 86 runners and his Down High team secured bronze medals and entry into the All Irelands.
NI CIVIL SERVICE XC AT STORMONT – JUNIORS
On Saturday there were 5 EDAC juniors in the 2 junior races (U13 and U15/U17 combined) which preceded the senior races at the NI Civil Service XC held in the Stormont Estate. They got the best of the day with breezy dry conditions and not as cold as it had promised. Alex Robinson was the only runner in the U13 race. At Stormont it is based on age on the day. He took to the front from the start and looked comfortable for the two 1k laps to finish first out of 32 boys in a time of 6.25.
Thomas Magee, the ink just dry on his sign up to EDAC junior membership, stepped up to the line in the U15 race and faced an experienced U15 and the U17 field. 
This course was 3000m, 3 loops of the course. Running in a mixed aged race can be confusing as it hard to identify which runners are your direct competition and care needs to be taken not to get sucked into running at the speed of the older runners at the start. Thomas paced his race very well and did not appear to be fazed. He finished 12th out of 15 male U15 runners in a time of 11.21. 
Abigail Elliott (U15) was the only female junior from EDAC running but she held her own finishing in a time of 12.53 which placed her 11th. It is great to see the newer members of the club try their hand at racing and hopefully others will follow suit.
The U17 Boys’ Race included many who had competed in the Ulster Schools a few days prior but back in club colours and ready for another battle. Oliver Robinson and Jacob Crawford stated their intentions from the start and pulled a slight lead. Oliver was 2nd U17 in a time of 9.12 with Jacob (9.21) placed 3rd in the same category.
Congratulations must also go to Alex, Oliver & Jacob who won the Boys’ Team Trophy. This was based on a 1, 2 and 3 over the age categories which gave them a total of 6 points and this low score would have been hard to beat. Trophies are on the way.