Hill and Dale Race 2 Tollymore

Tollymore Forest Park saw the second race of the Hill and Dale series, this race takes in the trails and paths of the forest park and all so takes in some of the open hills surrounding the park, finishing back near the car park after a steep climb to the line.

John Taylor in EDAC away colours at the Hill and Dale

John Taylor who is an old hand at the Hill and Dale took on the challenge will be happy with his 123rd position out of 250 athletes, in a time of 44 min 19 sec. The other EDAC member to take to the trails was Kieran Keown, this was his second outing and as last week put in a strong run clocking 46 min 08 secs 152nd spot. Great effort from the guys, next week Slieve Martin.

EDACs Kieran Keown making his way thought Tollymore Forest

NIMRA Granite Peaks Callenge

James Cuffey taking on the mountains on the NIMRA Granite Peaks Challenge

Saturday morning in the Mournes NIMRA launched a new race, the 1st ultra in the Mournes comprising a 31 mile loop with over 10 000 feet of climbing. The race starts and finishes at the Tollymore mountain Centre, with the route taking in most of the high peaks and dropping down as low as Silent Valley, with Slieve Donard and Commedagh the final climbs before heading for the finish. And with the first sunshine of the year East Downs mountain men Niall Gibney and James Cuffey had a tough day ahead of them. Niall was taking on the full ultra, with a full loop of the Mournes, he was feeling it in his legs as he climbed Commedagh at the 26 mile point pushing onto the finish. He found it a tough race but was happy with his time of 8 hrs 18 min 4th overall and 1st in the M45 age category. 

Niall Gibney descending one of the many mountains at The Granite Peaks Challenge

James was taking on the shorter distance of 15 miles, still taking in some of the big climbs with over 4000 feet of accent and covering a lot of open mountain terrain to traverse across, he had a great run coming home in 6th position, against some top mountain runners. Well done to both at a tough event. A shout out to EDAC club member Laura Hardy who volunteered as a marshall at the event, encouraging all the athletes round this tough race.

James Cuffey on the open mountain

2024 London Marathon

Sunday saw the 44th London Marathon, the biggest single  running event in the UK, with over 50 000 runners taking part, many raising a lot of money for charity. EDAC had two athletes in the main event. Alice Bear Clarkson and Barrie Atkinson had both run the London marathon before and both had been training hard aiming for a sub 3 hour time. Conditions were sunny with slight winds on parts of the course, Alice and Barrie both found it tricky, but dug deep with Alice crossing the finish line on the Mall in 2 hr 57 min 10 sec, that’s 6 min 45 sec pacing. Barrie was not too far behind in 2 hr 58 min 46 sec. Great marathon running from both of these EDAC members. Next up is the Belfast marathon.

Alice Brear Clarkson happy with her efforts after the London Marathon

Barrie Atknison at half way at the London Marathon