The third of the McGrady Junior Cross Country races took place on Sunday in Tollymore, this time hosted by Newcastle AC. EDAC Juniors turned up full of enthusiasm and took their turn as the different age groups were called to the start. The course involved 750m anticlockwise loops around the Monument so provided spectators many opportunities to support.
Older athletes (years 11-14) ran together first and it was great to see them get support as they started each fresh lap on their 3.5 loop course. Although this age group ran together, they are split into Years 11/12 and Years 13/14 for results. Alex Robinson, a year 11 runner, was the overall winner of the combined race in 8.28, over 1 minute ahead of the second placed athlete in the Year 11/12 race. Thomas Magee placed third for EDAC in the Year 11/12 race in a time of 9.37 and Matthew Taylor 5th in 10.43. Other commitments and illness meant Jacob Crawford was the sole male runner in the Year 13/14 race. He finished strongly in 8.57. Sarah Gilchrist ran strongly and got another podium place, this time one higher than last week, and placed second in 10.47 with Charlotte Bar hot on her heels in third in 10.54.
The races continued in age descending order with age groups running girls and boys together. Caelan Morgan placed second in a time of 6.20 in the year nine race with William Tayor in 4th in 7.29.
The second and third podium places were achieved by Dillon Hynds (5.36) and Rory Kinsella (6.14) respectively in the year eight boys race with Oscar Keown in fifth in 6.21. In the same race Annie Canavan placed fourth for the girls and Aoife Gilchrist 5th even though she was loaded with the cold.
Year seven girls had the most EDAC participants. Orlaith Keary gained top of the podium position in 4.53 with Alice Taylor in third in 5.32, Maria Rooney in fourth in 5.52 and Isla Taylor in 5th in 5.58.
Mack Canavan finished just one second behind second place runner in 3.58 to come third and was the only EDAC runner in the primary six race. Amber Keown, again the only EDAC runner in the same race, again placed third in 4.52.
Rosa Canavan just pipped Faith Kellett to second place in a thrilling sprint finish in the Primary five race with times 3.42 and 3.45 respectively.
The final race of the day was the primary four and under. It was Oisin Taylor’s first race in the EDAC vest, and he mastered the course well coming just two seconds behind Coen Canavan in 2.14 in fourth position. Welcome to racing Oisin. Willow Keown had a great race, placing third in the girls race in 2.31.
Thanks to all the EDAC parents and coach Paul for their support and well done to ALL our runners. It is great to see so many get points for EDAC. Good work Juniors! Also, thanks to Ryan Mc Donald for the fantastic pictures which recorded the atmosphere of the day so well.
The final race in the series is next Sunday and will the rescheduled EDAC hosted race at Delamont. Let’s hope the weather gods are on our side this time.
As all cross country runners know the playing fields at Mallusk have a micro climate of their own where the wind tends to blow stronger and colder and the rain tends to be heavier. This was expected to be the case on Wednesday for the Ulster Schools Cross Country final. The forecast was for a dry day but there was little surprise when there were a few drops of rain on the car windscreen as we neared the location. Braced for this usually cold micro climate everyone puts on layers expecting the worse. Instead one of nicest running days unfolded. There was virtually no wind and the sun shone providing some heat on the February day. The ground was firm with only a few muddy parts so ideal for fast running.
East Down had four juniors running for their schools; Jarlath Price in the Minor boys race (Our Lady & St. Pats , Knock), Alex Robinson (Down high school) in the intermediate boys race, Jacob Crawford (Down High School) in the Senior boys race and Anna Gardiner (Assumption Grammar School) in the Senior girls race. They had been selected on their performances at the District competitions two weeks earlier. Alex and Anna gained individual places by coming in the top 15 and Jacob and Jarlath achieved their places as part of their school teams.
The course has been the same over recent years and involves loops increasing in distance as the athletes become older with the distance increased from the District competitions.
Jarlath ran 2300m over one small and one larger lap. He had a good steady run and placed 37th in a time of 9.15 out of a field of 128 boys. His school team placed third with Jarlath fourth for the team and this has gained them a place at the All-Ireland Schools on the 9th March in Dublin.
Alex, who is in year 11, had to run 4.8km over three longer loops and was competing against 116 runners from years 11 and 12. He put no pressure on himself to qualify at the start of the race given he was one of the youngest runners in this category. He set off steadily and settled well sitting in 11th for most of the run. On the final lap he realised he was in contention for individual selection for the All Irelands and had enough energy to sprint past the runner in front to cross the line in 14th in a time of 17.30 pleased with how he paced the race. This has gained him an individual qualifying place for the all Irelands in Dublin. The next day he found out that on the back of his run he has been selected to be part of the NI & Ulster team to run in the London Elite Mini Marathon race which is held the day before the London marathon on the 20th of April.
Anna Gardiner had a busy running week having been selected as part of the N.I. & Ulster Senior ladies team to run at the Armagh International road race on Thursday. She thought she might get a by to the All Irelands Schools given her podium position at the Districts but this was not the case so she toed the line with 60 other girls at the start of the senior race over 3200m. She again showed her class and won the 3200m race in 12 minutes. Maybe it was just a warm up for the Armagh race the next day.
It can sometimes feel unfair that the senior boys (years 13 and 14) have so far to run. Jacob, together with his Down High team mates, sent off on the long 6400m, 4 loop course for the last race of the day. Jacob who is in year 13 had older runners to compete with but settled himself well. He placed 49th out of 81 runners. He was pleased with his run knowing he has another year in this category. His team placed fifth.
Armagh international 5k road races.
On a wet and cold Thursday evening the ‘great & the good’ of middle distance road running gathered at the Mall in Armagh for the Armagh 5k Annual International Road Races. Anna Gardiner, fresh from her win at the Ulster Schools Cross Country, joined female 3k runners from all over the UK in this hotly contested race. Anna had been selected as a member of the four strong NI & Ulster team with team mates Fionnuala Ross (Armagh AC), Nakita Burke (Letterkenny AC) and Edel Monaghan (DCH).
Megan Davies from Sale Harriers, won the women’s race with a time of 9:19 with Cardiff AC’s Cari Hughes’ late sprint taking second in the same time. The pre-race favourite Alex Bell said she found the conditions hard but held on for a bronze in a time of 9.21.
Anna finished in 27th overall in a time of 9.44 and was the first junior to cross the line. She said it was a fast paced race but really hard conditions especially pre-race made preparation difficult. All ladies got soaked to the skin and were freezing before the race started but thankfully the rain stopped for the race. Anna was delighted with her first Armagh road race given the conditions and is now looking forward to a few days rest to recover.
Juniors at Stormont cross Country
East down AC juniors turned out in force at Stormont estate on Saturday to run races that accompanied those of the last senior cross country fixture of the season. Conditions were expected to be very wet underfoot given the rain over the preceding days and heavy rain on the journey to the venue. Instead the sun came out and it turned out to be a lovely day for running with the ground only boggy in places. There were two junior races. The under
thirteens ran 2000m over two laps and the combined boys and girls U15 / U17 ran 3000m over three laps on the same course. In total 19 EDAC juniors attended adding many red and yellow vests to the packs of runners. A great sight to see.
First up was the combined girls and boys U13 race with 11 juniors taking part. The minimum age for this category was nine so it should be acknowledged that many runners were competing against those a lot older than them.
The results are as follows. Orlaith Kearney 9th in a time of 7.59, Amber Keown 11th in8.13, Alice Taylor 14th in 8.27, Tarynn Smyth 16th in 8.33, Annie Canavan 22nd in 9.01, Aoife Gilchrist 26th in 9.27, Annie Gill 30th in 9.59 Orlaith Gill 31st in 10.02 and Freya Cushnie 32nd in 10.01.
Shortly after was the combined U15 / U17 boys and girls race. There were two male juniors in the U15 race (Alex Robinson and Caelan Morgan), two U17 boys (Thomas Magee and Matthew Taylor) in the U17 race and five EDAC girls in the U17 race.
Alex Robinson cemented his successful week with a podium win in the U15 race with Alex Downey of north down in second and Nicholas Boyd of Willowfield in third. In fact he came third overall behind 2 U17 boys. Abigail Elliott came second in the U17 girls race behind Emily Morris of Willowfield with Sarah Gilchrist completing the podium in 3rd place. Thomas Magee narrowly missed a podium place coming fourth.
Results U15 boys :- Alex Robinson 1st (9.19), Caelan Morgan 6th (11.06).
U17 boys :- Thomas Magee 4th (11.00), Matthew Taylor 6th (11.37).
U17 girls Abigail Elliott 2nd (11.16), Sarah Gilchrist 3rd (12.19), Evie Cushine 4th (13.13) and Chloe Fleming 6th (14.22).
The next race for the juniors is the third McGrady race hosted by Newcastle AC in Tollymore this coming Sunday.
Stormont Estate saw the last Cross Country League race of the season, with a number of junior races first the seniors took to the course with the senior women and 60+ men taking on the 3.3 miles which is 3 laps of the left side of the grand drive that leads up to Stormont. The rain held off for the start of the race, the undulating ground in places was very cut up and with tree roots and branches that you needed to keep an eye out for it was going to be tough going.
From the gun Catherine O’Connor went to the front where she stayed. After her run in Armagh on Thursday night she was not sure what was felt in the tank for this race. Catherine stuck to her task and had to fight to the end to come in second position with a sprint finish. The next EDAC vest across the line was women’s team captain Sharon Madine who was happy to be back on track after a short break and was happy with her 42nd position. Aoife Cochrane had another strong run for the ladies team coming in 73rd spot in a time of 25 min 45 sec. Nuala Taylor after watching her children run their races pulled on her spikes and ran a great race for the team crossing the line in 92nd. Ashley Mcgrady was next to finish closely followed by Ella Carroll in 122nd and 123rd positions. Carmel Ross had a great come back run and will be pleased with her 133rd position. Marguerite Robinson was next in and for her first time running at Stormont was pleased with her race, finishing in 170th spot. Aine Grant who is now becoming an old hand at the cross country was not too far behind Marguerite in 179th. Alison Carroll was the final red and yellow vest to cross the finish line and enjoyed the whole team event in 186th position. A great turn out by the EDAC ladies.
Wayne Giles was the only 60+ male in this event and as ever put in a determined performance finishing in 39th position in a time of 28 min 35 sec.
The last race of the day was the senior men’s race, which was 4.4 miles which was 4 full laps, and with 240 athletes on the start line and the course very wet and cut up in places the runners were off. The pace was fast as the front runners passed though the avenue of trees that lead up the hill towards the Stormont Buildings. After racing on Thursday night Adam Withers got into a good pace and was first home for the men’s team in 40th position in 27 min 13 sec. Second EDAC male was Martin Willcox who is an old hand at this event and was happy with his 50th spot. Not too far behind Martin was club coach Paul Burns who put in a determined run in 52nd.
Matt Bezzant took on his first cross country race for the club, but did not realise that spikes were the order of the day and completed the race in road trainers, so a big lesson learnt but still a great performance by Matt in 98th position. Gavin Hynds was next in, after watching his son run in the junior race, Gavin got his spikes on and put in a great run for the club coming in 158th. Kieran Keown was doing his first Cross Country race for East Down and found the going tough but still put in a strong performance for the team coming in 172th spot. Adam Morgan and John Taylor had a bit of an in-club battle with Adam just pipping it in 177th position with John not too far behind in 179th. Last past the post for EDAC was Daniel Giles, who had his head down and was going for it and ended up doing an extra lap and still did not come last, so great effort by Daniel, but count your laps next year Daniel. A great day for East Down AC at a great event which is organised by the Civil Service.
On Thursday night the very popular Armagh International 3 and 5k road race took place. This event attracts top athletes from all over the UK and Ireland. Top athletes come to Armagh to set a fast time and compete against the best runners in this part of the world. The race is organized by Armagh Athletic Club. The three main races are the women’s 3k, then the headline race the Men’s 5k followed by the Men’s 3k. The fast flat route which takes in the Mall in the city centre and wet and cold conditions set the night up for some great races. In the 3k Ladies race EDACs Catherine O’Connor was our only senior runner and as ever took on the challenge, with a strong International field Catherine finished in 51st position in a field of 184 runners in a time of 10 min 01 sec.
The race was won by Megan Davis in 9 mins 19 sec of Sale Harriers. In the Men’s 3k race Adam Withers was on the start line for East Down AC with 190 athletes again of an international standard. Adam crossed the finish line 9 min 32 sec in 55th spot, the race was won by Oliver Patton of Kibarchan AAC in 8 min 29 sec. Topi Raitanen won the Men’s 5k race in an amazing 13 min 49 sec outstanding running.
Saturday morning saw EDACs marathon man Philip Vint head to Woodburn Forest Park for his second marathon in a week. After his second place the Sunday before at the Newry Marathon, he was hoping to complete his 91st marathon as he heads for his century. The Rabbit Run is based in Woodburn Forest, with a Marathon, Half marathon and 10k distances.
The Marathon completes two large circular loops of the forest park and 98% of the route is off road with a mix of terrain. All these events are self sufficient and no trace of the event once completed. All Entrants are given a full GPX of the course, carry their own food and water, along with a small mandatory kit. There are no marshalls but some arrows are on course to help.
This marathon was a completely different challenge for Philip with undergrowth, inclines, declines, water and lots of mud and a great view of Belfast Lough, Philip came in 4 hrs 05 mins, an amazing effort and a tough week.
On Sunday afternoon was the next race in the cross Country league at the Billy Neill sports complex. There are four races over the afternoon: Masters men, Intermediate Women, Masters Women & Male 65+ and and Intermediate Men. In the Male 65+ race Wayne Giles took on the muddy course and with the windy cold conditions was pleased with his run with a time of 23 min 53 sec for his 4k run. In the intermediate mens race Daniel Giles had the harder task of four 2k muddy laps against a very strong field of athletes. Daniel found it tough going, but enjoyed the challenge and clocked a time of 34 min 43 sec.
On Sunday afternoon saw the 40th running of the Raheny Shamrocks Athletics club 5 mile road race. This popular race has a number of junior, wheelchair and senior competitions, and always draws a big crowd and a high standard of athletes. EDAC had three runners on the start line. Neil Curran was the first past the post in 97th position in a time 27 min 58 sec. Catherine O Connor was next in, Catherine has had a great season and had a great run coming in 119th place, 8th Female in a time 28 min 08 sec. Barrie Atkinson was the last red and yellow vest across the line in 538 spot in 31 min 42 sec, which was good going with over 4000 finishers.
