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. Continue reading →

British & Irish Masters Cross Country Championships

East Down AC’s Martin Willcox and Catherine O’Connor were on international duties in Santry, Dublin at the weekend. As a result of their rankings at the Masters’ Trials in October they had been selected on to the NI & Ulster Team for the British & Irish Masters Cross Country Championships. Catherine O’Connor put in a great performance in the Women’s Race which was 4 x 1500m laps. The course was firm grass with a few muddy patches so it was a fast start. Continue reading →

NI & Ulster Uneven Age Group Cross Country Championships

With the Evens (U10/12/14 etc) Age Group Cross Country Championships done and dusted 2 weeks ago, it was the turn of the Unevens (U11/13/15 etc) at the weekend. Three EDAC Juniors made the journey to Finn Valley Centre in Stranorlar to take part.  Oliver Robinson and Jacob Crawford raced in the U17 category and Alex Robinson in the U15. While there was a stiff breeze on the day, it was dry and reasonably mild. The going was firm in and around the start area but once the runners entered the fields, it was quite boggy due to heavy rains in the previous week. Alex was off first and took his time in the first section pacing it steadily and staying out of trouble. He worked his way through the pack to place a commendable 28th out of 72 runners. In the U17 Boys there were 50 athletes and Ollie ran strongly to finish in 18th position in 14.49. Jacob followed not long after in 15.44 which ranked him 29th. They all will have gained valuable experience for the cross country racing that lies ahead including the All Irelands in Rosapenna on 20th November. Continue reading →

The Irish Life Dublin Marathon

The 43rd Dublin Marathon finally got underway on Sunday 30th October 2022. Having been postponed for 12 months due to Covid restrictions in 2020, it was then called off in 2021 for the same reason. Many of those who lined up this year were deferrals who had waited two full years to get their chance to tackle the iconic event so when race day dawned there was a mixture of pent up energy and relief that it was actually happening at last. Close to 15,000 runners set off from St Stephen’s Green in 4 waves which were allocated according to their predicted times. The runners followed a one lap (26.2 miles) circuit around various landmarks including a section through Phoenix Park before making the way back to finish where they had started.  Continue reading →

NI & Ulster Evens Age Group Cross Country Championships

On Saturday 22nd October East Down AC Juniors and Seniors descended en masse on the Billy Neill Playing Fields in Comber for a full program of competition. There was plenty of action with the NI & Ulster Age Group XC Championships combining with the Bobby Rea Memorial XC and an International element added into the mix. Continue reading →

GR8 Dundrum Run

On Saturday past Dundrum was awash with colour as runners from near and far gathered ready for the off. The GR8 Dundrum Run hosted by Murlough AC is a test of stamina due in part to the distance which is 8+ miles but mainly because of the mixed terrain. Runners start on the road but before long they are faced with undulating dune trails, sand and pebbles along the shoreline and sections of boardwalk.  Add in a strong blustery headwind for the 2 mile beach section and it is a game changer for anyone who wants to run a fast time. Most are happy to pace themselves and enjoy the scenery as it is certainly worth a look but the eventual winner Gary Crummy of Newry AC wasn’t hanging around and practically skipped across the line in 45.28 a full 2 and a half minutes ahead of the next runner. The top five including local man Robbie Hagan (5th in 49.11) all broke the 50 minutes for the distance which came up as 8.2 miles on most GPS watches. Aislinn Crossey (51.43)  made it a double win for Newry AC as she was the first female home. Continue reading →