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.

Storm Isla on the 21st of January followed by Storm Jocelyn on the 23rd of January did little to stop the School District A Schools Cross Country at Delamont Country Park. Thankfully the winds had eased off but the ground was soddened and the underfoot conditions were described as very sticky by all the runners. At this event EDAC post primary juniors represent their schools so it can be very difficult to spot runners in different vests. The distances for each age groups were made up of various combinations of small 430m laps and large 1160m laps. Years 8,9, and 10 run in single age categories. The age groups then combine with Years 11 and 12 running together in the intermediate category and Years 13 and 14 running together in the senior category. This can add an extra challenge for those runners who are in the lower of the two age categories. From each race the top 15 get an individual qualifying place for the Ulster Schools Championships in 10 days’ time. Other runners can get to run in the Ulster’s if they are part of one of the top three teams.

The Mini (First year) started the proceedings with one small lap and one larger lap of the fields, a distance of just over 1.5 kilometres. Annie Canavan ran in the Mini girls race with her Assumption Grammar School teammates. She placed 42nd out of 137 runners. Dillon Hynds followed in the Mini boys’ race for St Patrick’s over the same distance and placed 36 out of 155 runners.

Jarlath Price ran the two laps (2320m) Minor boys’ race (Year 9). After a tumble at the start he recovered well to place 19th out of 135 runners and help his team qualify for the Ulster’s in 10 days’ time.

The Senior races were then shoehorned into the schedule possibly so the runners can be guaranteed support during their longer races. Anna Gardiner easily won the Senior girl’s title over 3.5 kilometres cementing her position at the top. Jacob Crawford, who placed 28th out of 42 runners in the 6-kilometre senior race, helped his Down High team win third team place and so progresses with his team mates to the Ulster final.

Cara Napier representing Assumption Grammar school and Abigail Elliott, Kate Jackson and Charlotte Barr all representing Down High School ran in the 3 lap, 3.5 kilometre race. By this stage the ground was boggy and the corners very slippery so keeping upright was a challenge. Cara placed 15th gaining a well-deserved individual place at the Ulster’s. Abigail was unfortunate to just miss out on a place coming 17th. She reckoned it was a day for strong calf muscles rather than her long strides. Charlotte placed 34th and Kate placed 70th.

Alex Robinson, with a June birthday and in 4th year, was one of the youngest runners in the 4.5-kilometre, Intermediate race. He didn’t let that put him off and had an individual qualifying place in his sights. He started out with the lead pack at pace and sat in the top ten until the last lap when the increasing distance and energy sapping hills took their toll. He was glad to cross the finish line in 13th out of 91 knowing he had done enough to get an individual qualifying place in the next round Ulster competition representing Down High School.

Mullusk Harriers held the first cross country event of 2024 year on a dry but bitterly cold January day at Belfast Playing fields. Although the sun was shining there was little evidence of heat and all spectators were glad they could keep their down jackets, hats and gloves on.

The primary school races started first at 10.30 with the girls and boys running a 800m loop separately. The course was mainly flat but had some steep inclines and declines going from one playing field to another. The Primary school kids only had one steep incline and decline but with the race effectively a sprint the hills were brutal. Orlaith Keary was the only primary school entrant and she had a steady race placing 7^th in a fast field.   

After the primary school races all other races followed a larger loop of approximately 2K with this loop having more steep inclines and declines to master. The outward side of the loop involved flat sections interspaced with two steep inclines. The first step descent was after about 600m with a sharp right hand bend at the bottom followed by a sharp ascent approximately 10m further long to regain the level the runners had just come from. This  meant there was little time to capitalise on the speed gained by the short downhill section.  There was then a long sweeping section as the course turned back towards the start area to start the same loop again.

Two U15 juniors took part in the u15 race; Cara Napier and Alex Robinson. They ran 4k made up of two loops. Alex made his intentions known from the start and headed out in the lead pack conscious of his competition from previous races. Soon he was in the lead group of three being led by Rory Armstrong (Lagan Valley, AC) and Luc le Blanc (St Colman’s, Newry). On the second lap Rory pulled away showing why he placed third at the All-Ireland Uneven Age Groups in December last year. Alex was sitting clear in second but as the distance increased, the inclines sapped his legs, and in the final stretch the pack slowly caught up. In the last 200m he was overtaken by Conan O’Doherty but dug deep to hold onto a very close third. Cara had an equally good run. She paced the race well to finish strongly.

The next race for EDAC juniors is the third McGrady race on Sunday 21st January which will be held at Delamont Park. This is an EDAC hosted event so all hands will be on deck for a successful event. Let’s hope the snow stays away.