The All Ireland Cross Country Championships in Rosapenna
The Irish Senior Cross Country Championships and All Ireland Even Age Groups took place as a combined event on Sunday past. Based at Rosapenna Golf Club it was not a hilly or muddy course compared to some but a vicious wind and driving rain created a challenging environment for the athletes and spectators alike. To take part in the junior races the athletes must have qualified at the NI & Ulster Championships while the senior racing is open to all. There was a big entry in all categories and East Down AC’s Anna Gardiner got the chance to meet one of her idols when Ciara Mageean was happy to pose for a photo. Anna has returned to racing with a bang. A skilful performance in Comber last month earned her the NI & Ulster U18 Championship title when she led from start to finish in her first race in 2 years. She followed that up with a great outing as part of the NI & Ulster Team in the British Cross Challenge in Milton Keynes. Arriving as the current NI & Ulster Champion to the All Irelands and knowing that she was potentially in winning form, could have brought pressure to bear but Anna was unfazed on the start line.
Anna lifts the All Ireland Gold….and makes history!
The U20 and U18 were set off together and Anna sensibly tucked in to see the lie of the land. For the first short loop she was in the top 20, by the mid point of the first of the 2 long loops she was top 12. All eyes were on Anika Thompson the U20 athlete who was leading from the gun and when mention was made of the chasing group, Anna remained under the radar. The chasers then split again leaving Anna in a smaller bunch of 6. The pace increased with the girls involved only too aware that there were U18 and U20 medals at stake. With the distance to the finish decreasing, Anna timed her move to perfection. She eased ahead of Roise Roberts (U18) of North Belfast Harriers who had been in 2nd place overall throughout most of the race. The commentators were thrown into confusion as they could see the EDAC vest surging forward but could find no name to match it. It turned out the wrong club name was on the start list. All they could do was roar approval as Anna sprinted to the line holding off Roise Roberts by 3 seconds to take the Gold in the U18 category. If she had had a few more metres, she might even have caught the overall winner (and U20 gold medallist) Thompson as her lead was down to 4 seconds by the line. Anna was over the moon – this has been a long time coming and a win that means a lot to her. An All Ireland individual gold is a prized possession. She also got a team gold medal by leading County Down to victory.
Since then she has received the exciting news that she has been selected on to the Irish U20 Team for the European Cross Country in Italy on 11th of December. This is a bit of history in the making as Anna will be the first EDAC female to race at this level and the first ever EDAC athlete to take part in European Cross Country. (James O’Hare an accomplished track athlete took part in the 1500m in the European Track & Field Championships in 2009)
County Down Teams
Also at Rosapenna in their EDAC vests but also as part of the County Down Teams were Luke and Cara Napier. It was their first appearance at an event of this level and whilst they were not in contention for medals, it was an exciting day for them both. Luke was in the U12 race and Cara in the U14. They each committed to giving it their best shot and were pleased with how it went. They enjoyed being part of the team and seeing what racing at this level entails. Well done Team Napier.
National Senior XC Championships
Neil McCartan was the sole EDAC senior to race at Rosapenna. He said that it was the highest quality Irish National Championships that he has ever experienced. He went out hard trying to find a group to pace with and managed to hang in the top 25 or so for the first half of the race. When you have athletes of the calibre of Darragh McElhinney and Hiko Tonoso pulling the race apart at the front, there is very little you can do but keep going. Neil felt that his early efforts eventually caught up with him and he lost places in the latter stages. In the end he was happy enough with 48th – top 50 and in the top third of the field.
Cross Country at Comber
On the same day as the All Irelands, Ballydrain Harriers put on a full day’s racing at the Billy Neill Playing Fields in Comber. It was a bitterly cold day with occasional light rain but the ground was mainly firm. The venue is regarded as one of the toughest around due to the number of hills involved no matter which route is chosen. As well as the Comber Cup for men and the John McKeag Trophy for women, there were junior races. U14 runner Alex Robinson had in fact qualified as an individual for the All Ireland Evens in Donegal but unfortunately was unable to travel. As compensation he entered the U14 race at Billy Neill.
Alex gets a win
He realised that the competition would not be the same since many juniors were in Donegal but he reckoned that it would allow some valuable pacing practice. All the post primary juniors ran in a combined race (U14, U16 & U18 girls & boys) with the U14 and U16 runners doing 2800m (2 laps) and the U18 doing 3 laps. The mix of ages could have been unsettling but Alex took it in his stride. At the top of the first hill (of which there were many), he was in the front pack of 3. The lead interchanged between these 3 as they broke away from the rest of the field. On the last uphill he tried hard to maintain second place but had to be content with third despite his efforts. However any disappointment on the line was dispelled when he discovered that he was in fact the first U14 home (in a time of 11.28 minutes) since the first 2 runners were U16. Good work, Alex!
Catherine takes home the John McKeag Trophy
Next up was the Women’s Race which is named after John McKeag, a stalwart of the athletics world now sadly passed away. His lifetime was dedicated to the sport of athletics and it is fitting that there is a trophy in his memory. A much loved member not only of Ballydrain Harriers, he was highly regarded by whole running community. EDAC’s Catherine O’Connor is enjoying a purple patch and showed up to Comber more than ready to put it all on the line. She took a cautious approach sitting in the lead bunch for the first part and then easing herself away with impeccable pacing. As the finish approached, the win was never in doubt and she was able to cross the line without danger in a time of 23.49, 6 seconds ahead of 2nd and 20 seconds ahead of 3rd. A good win for her. Sharon Madine also took part and she ran her usual determined race to finish well up the ranks in 21st position (27.02). Wayne Giles as a Men’s O60 was included in the women’s race as often is the case. It might be stretching it to say that he enjoyed it, but he was glad that he had done it once he finished in a time of 33.48 minutes.
The Comber Cup
Once the course was clear, the men were brought on to the start line for the Comber Cup. It was great to see a good number of EDAC men out to race. Liam Venney recently returned to EDAC colours and in very decent form looked at home as a leading East Down runner. He almost looked as if he was enjoying himself as he fairly romped round the hilly course in a time of 31.21 to finish in 38th position out of 190 runners. 
He was followed in by Adam Withers in a time of 33.6 (55th) – a new joiner and a novice at cross country who will definitely be a welcome addition judging by his inaugural run. Daniel Giles (117th in 36.32), who seems to relish the challenge of running on grass, looked very strong throughout. Mark O’Connor, Eamon Kelly and Paul Burns finished in that order in times of 37.09, 37.46 & 37.47 (positions 122, 128 & 129). Robin Parsons another recent recruit finished 153rd in a time of 39.32. Cross country is all about the enjoyment of pitting yourself against the terrain and the elements rather than posting fast times and all the men are to be commended for their efforts. 
They were quick to commend Ballydrain for their efficient hosting and to thank the marshals who braved the bitter conditions to ensure the wellbeing of the runners. The next race in the league is Sunday 27th November. Details at https://athleticsni.org/Fixtures/2022-Cross-Country-League
Patrick on Tour
A frosty morning greeted the 700+ runners that gathered in the fishing village of Annagassan on the southern shores of Dundalk Bay for the Viking 10K. This popular 10K is run in memory of local man Noel Carroll who represented Ireland in the Tokyo and Mexico Olympics and who was a key player in making the Dublin Marathon the success that it is. The course affords spectacular views of Dundalk Bay and the Cooley and Mourne Mountains together form a stunning backdrop. Saturday being a clear day the runners could see all this to maximum effect. For those chasing a personal best 10km time, this could be the one. There is a gentle downhill for the first mile, only one climb worthy of any mention which is at 2 miles in and the remainder of the route follows a flat coastal road back into the village. The finish line gantry is conveniently located outside the front door of Slan’s pub, one of the many race sponsors, and where many runners began their post-race rehydration. Patrick would highly recommend this race and given that he had a kit malfunction (an issue with his shorts elastic to be precise!), he was pleased with a chip time of 50:30.
Run the Line
John Taylor managed to squeeze in a race at the weekend while visiting Wicklow with family. He signed up to ‘Run the Line’ which is a well known mountain race challenge that also acts as a fundraiser for Dublin-Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team. While there was a 26km route he opted for the shorter distance of 13km to fit in best with the plans for the day. The route went across the Dublin Mountains, starting and finishing in Glencullen Adventure Park, and taking in many spectacular locations along the way. His finish time was 1 hour 22 which put him in 312th place out of 360 in his event. He said that compared to the Mournes he found the terrain more manageable and would be tempted to do the longer race next year.
Christmas is coming 🎶 🎄
It is definitely ok to mention Christmas now that November is well through. One of the favourite events of the year is coming round again – The EDAC Members Predicted Time Trial (5K) will take place on Thursday 15th December – It entails submitting your proposed time for the 5K and then running without watch or GPS so that the pacing is all done by feel. The person who is closest to their time wins first prize and so on. Over the years it has been hotly contested with people only one second off their guesstimate. After the race it is back down to clubroom to warm up with hit drinks and treats while the times are calculated. As well as the TT prizes (£40/30/20 vouchers) the EDAC Awards are going to be presented and the London Ballot Place will be announced. It is going to be a lot of fun and guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit. All members welcome to run, watch and join in the craic. Get the date in the diary.