Lagan Valley AC Fab 5 Series.
The first of the outdoor track meets of 2023 hosted by Lagan Valley AC was held at Mary Peter’s Track on Thursday night 6th April. Over 300 participants were present on the night from clubs all over the province, a great reflection on the popularity of athletics currently. The two track events were 100m & 800m with slightly shorter distances of 60m and 600m for the younger runners. Field events included the long jump, javelin, shot putt and high jump. Many of the races were held over a number of heats with final places based on time, not a final race. This can be very hard for runners to judge effort because they usually have no idea of how runners in other heats have done.
5 EDAC athletes keenly picked up their numbers in anticipation of the events. For many it was the first time at a track event and all reported that they really enjoyed the experience and would return for future events.
First up for EDAC was Toby Jackson who took part in his first 60m and first long jump. Given there were 26 runners in the U11, 60m race they were held over 5 heats. Toby place 7th overall in a time of 9.75 which is a fantastic start. He jumped 2.73m in the U11 long jump placing 14th out of 18.
Ben Coffey ran his 1st U13 100m in the first of three heats in a time of 19.90 and loved the experience.
Isla Taylor ran in the second heat of the 600m U11 race. The distance is shorter for these young runners. 29 runners made up the two heats with 16 starting in Isla’s heat which meant that the start was a mad rush for position. Isla settled well into the race and saved enough energy for a final sprint over taking a few runners in the last straight. She completed the race in 2.27.52 placing 15th.
Alex Robinson had a long wait for the start of his U15, 800m race. He openly admits that he hasn’t learnt to love track events yet but was happy to give this distance another go toeing the line in the second heat. There were no staggered starts for the 800m races, probably to save time, so gaining the best line to the first bend was difficult. He settled well into the race and initially was pleased with his 4th position thinking his race seemed faster than the first heat. In the end he placed 10th out of 23 runners in a time of 2.23.56 9 (6 second PB). A hard lesson to learn to run to the clock not your fellow runners. He should take reassurance in his current fitness from his first ever Parkrun first at Dunleath Playing fields the Saturday before in a time of 18.40, taking 26 seconds of his previous best for this run and placing 4th in a time of 18.46 at Castlewellan Parkrun the Saturday after taking 24 seconds of his PB there.
Kate Jackson was the last EDAC track runner. In her first 100m in the U17 category she ran a time of 15.91 in the second heat and was pleased with her run.
James Wright, keen to hone his jumping technique prior to the School Track & field competitions later in the month, lined up with 10 other athletes. The competition included three in the U17 male category, 4 in the U17 female category, 3 senior males and one senior female. Although the weather was dry throughout the evening, standing around between jumps makes it hard to stay warm and to be ready to jump. James jumped 160cm to place 3rd in the U17 category. A good start to the year.
Well Done Anna
All EDAC club members would like to say a huge congratulations to Anna Gardiner on being the winner of the Newry & Mourne Junior Sportsperson of the year 2022. A worthy winner given the year of successes Anna has achieved. The club are very proud of you.