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.
Saturday morning saw the next race in the Born 2 Run series. Antrim Castle gardens was the venue for the popular Run Forest Run series of races. Runners will make their way around the 400 year old gardens, with both races starting in the grounds of the gardens, the 10k route takes in the ruins of Shanes Castle where runners will enjoy some fantastic views of Lough Neagh and then returning through the immaculately kept gardens and woods at Castle gardens. The 5k is mainly in the gardens with a small section on the main road, so with a flat fast course and fresh conditions some good times were in the offing.
Anna Gardiner was the only EDAC athlete to make the trip to Antrim, and was taking on the 5k. Anna has had an amazing season on the road, track and cross country trails so was in good form. With 169 runners toeing the start line, they were off and Anna headed to the front where she stayed, putting in another strong performance Anna came in third position in the race and first Lady over the line in a time of 18 min 20 sec, we all need to remember that Anna is still a junior and is mixing it with senior athletes, an amazing effort.
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 7th 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.
At the end the year the juniors joined the seniors at the annual predicted time trial and Christmas party. Each junior had to predict what time they could complete a mile and the closest to their predicted time won a prize.
Thirty juniors turned up and discussed run tactics and predictions. The question, that all the seniors also ask, is whether to do a slow, steady run or to go as fast as you can . It isn’t the fastest who wins, just the person closest to their predicted time. On this occasion it was the first finisher Thomas Magee who got bragging rights for the fastest and the closest to his predicted time. Dillon Hynds was second closely followed by Matthew Taylor.
After the Christmas break races return in the new year starting with the Mathieson Cup on the 14th January. Then it will time for secondary school boys & girls to represent their schools at the Ulster Schools Districts Cross Country races starting on the 19th.Jaunary before EDAC hosts the next race in the McGrady series at Delamont on the 21st.
As anticipated, there was a great turn out on Tuesday night for my favourite race of the year, the Mill Hill Mile, in Castlewellan. with entries just below the 100 mark. As you will notice my name doesn’t appear in the results which is down to the fact that I got my daughter to run it for me this year, RHIP or better AHIP (Age Has Its Privileges) as I am still incapacitated by my ongoing left knee problem. But not wanting to miss out on the fun of running up the Mill Hill, my daughter Karen kindly volunteered to step into my shoes, so to speak.
LAST MINUTE
It was very much a last minute thing as we arrived at the last minute before the race started, Karen hopped out halfway down Ballybannnon, where we were stuck fuming in the traffic while another of those damned road races was holding up all us angry drivers. So at the last minute Karen reached the back of the pack of runners just as the whistle / hooter? sounded.(Thanks again to the traffic jam I didn’t get close enough to hear what it was that started the race) and then she was off.
EVEN I WAS TIRED
It took me quite a while to overtake her (in the car) as she surged up the hill, trying to emulate me. I have to say it tired me out just watching all of the runners and I was indeed glad to see Karen cross the finish line in what was, for me, a very respectable 12.40. Well Done and Thank You Karen.
EDAC SUCCESS
But practically every other one of East Down’s 16 runners ended up with a winning place as, ably led by Paul Burns 4th overall in 6.06 and first M40, the Robinson and Foster families, made it their benefit night. Oliver Robinson was the first Under 12 Boy to cross the line in 7.11 brother Alex was the first Under 10 Boy in 7.54, and Mum Marguerite claimed the prize for first Female Over 50 in 9.25. Callum Kent was close behind Oliver in 7.26. Mackenzie Murray posted a superb 6.42 to take the Boys Under 14 trophy.
Paul Burns – First EDAC home and third male overall
Hot and sunny at Larne 10k (234 runners in total) (Pictured: Seamus Savage)
FAMOUS FIVE FOSTER GIRLS
The Foster family went even better led by Dad Davy who was 8th overall in 6.25 and 2nd M40, only deprived of a prize by Paul’s effort. And then came the avalanche. Kirsti was the first of the five Fosters to complete the race, and she set the standard high with a time of 6.57 to take the Under 14 Girls title and was 4th Female overall. Lucy clocked a splendid 7.01 for first Under 12 Girl, Jodi was next in 7.35 and first Under 10 Girl, with Kari only 24 seconds behind her and 2nd Under 10. Lily then kept her end up by crossing the line in 8.45 to claim the 1st prize in the Girls Under 8 category.
A big turnout from EDAC at the annual Mill Hill Mile in Castlewellan
JAY’S THE STAR on his DEBUT
However they were not done yet. One young man, a brother of all the Foster girls was still out there doing his first ever Mill Hill Mile, and boy was he enjoying it! With a smile as broad as the Main St. he ran the entire way, happily chatting to mum Joanne and later re-united with his dad as he came into the finish funnel to the roar of the onlookers who crowded around. His time was 13.15, so why is it worthy of notice? Well it was Jay’s very first official race and his first go at the mile AND he’s ONLY 3 YEARS old. So welcome to the world of competitive running Jay, you’re a star already. There should have been a special award for him as he was running in the Under 8 Boys category!!
Jay the star at Mill Hill Mile
GORDY TAKES 5TH PLACE IN LARNE 10K
EDAC had 3 runners head to the North Coast for the Larne 10k hosted by East Coast AC on Saturday. There were 234 runners taking part and Gordy Graham threw himself into the mix with pleasing results. He came 5th overall which is good going for a course with two fairly brutal hills on a hot day though Gordy thought that the weather conditions were almost perfect. He went out at a steady 5:30 pace and sensibly let the lead group go as they were closer to 5:00’s. He ran the whole way with Mark Smith (Mallusk Harriers) who finished sixth and was happy to outsprint him to the finish line even though both were given the same time 35.35. This was superb running bearing in mind that Stephen Scullion, just back from European action for Ireland had to set a new race record of 32.29 to beat second placed Ben Branagh 32.52 St. Malachy’s AC a winner of Jimmy’s Ten 2 years ago, and they are probably the top 2 road runners in the country right now. It was a new PB for the East Down man and as it came after a hard week’s training with no rest days, he had every reason to be more than happy with the result.
GAVIN and SEAMUS
Gavin McConvey was using the event as a birthday treat to himself and was happy to finish in 54.59. Seamus Savage went with no real aspirations as his training has been less consistent than he would have liked over the Summer but he managed to complete the course and said that he was glad that he had persevered. He found the second time up the hill a tough ask but said that it was a well organised event and he would return.
PAUL COMES UP SHORT?
Paul Lloyd was in Killyleagh on Friday night for the Atlas 10K and was 2nd overall which was an excellent result for this ever improving runner. Though his time 39.04 represented a new PB he doesn’t want to boast about it as he reckons the course was “short”. I say just accept it Paul as it’s easier than trying to explain to the uninitiated the peculiarities of road running. Anyway I spent 25 years trying to find a marathon route that was “short” so that I could break the 3 hour barrier and never found one!! Nowadays even the 10Ks are all “long” However he was thankful that he ran fast enough to beat the fading light as some of those tackling the Half marathon were finishing in the dark. George and Noreen Kerr took to the roads for the first time in a while and got round comfortably in the middle of the pack of 10k runners.
DECLAN STAYS IN THE LIGHT
Declan Teague took on the Half Marathon and was placed 12th overall in 1 hour 27 minutes which nevertheless was only just before the light disappeared. Given that, like Gordy in the Larne race he had a hard week’s training in his system and that the course was challenging enough, this was in impressive result, Declan! He has a fairly strenuous few weeks ahead as he prepares or the Belfast half Marathon on 23 September the Budapest Marathon on 7 October and the Dublin version on 28th. Good luck in all of those.
LEFT IN THE DARK
It was noted with some concern on Friday night that with the swift onset of Autumn the evenings are drawing in and it was always going to be touch and go about whether the slower runners would complete the half marathon before it was actually dark. I left Kilyleagh round 8.20pm and it was quite dusky even then. That was 80 minutes into the race and with well over half the runners taking over 100 minutes to complete and the last runner taking 3 hours and 20 minutes to cross the line it must have raised serious concerns for the organisers about their safety.
24 HOUR RELAY IN SUPPORT OF AIR AMBULANCE NI
None of the EDAC members took part in the 24 Hour Run in the Park Relay on Saturday and Sunday in aid of Air Ambulance Northern Ireland. It began at 12.00noon on Saturday and was well supported. Our contribution to the proceedings was we supplied our large digital clock for keeping everyone appraised of the total running time throughout the full 24 hours.
