Hill & Dale Race 9 Meels

Last Thursday evening saw the penultimate race in the Hill and Dale series. After a day of  heavy rain the race directors took the decision to cut the race short for the safety of the athletes taking part. The race started with the normal climb up Spellack with the ascent to Meelmore tower, Then the descent to the saddle between Meelmore and Meelbeg. Normally the runners would then climb to the summit of Meelbeg, but due to the poor ground conditions the competitors were sent down towards the finish. The course was still 4 miles long with 1 500 feet of climb so no easy task with very wet and boggy conditions.

Three brave EDAC athletes took on this wet challenge, Matthew Taylor was the first to cross the finish line in 167th position with a time of 1hr 05 mins great effort from one of our juniors. Husband and wife team Kieran and Lesley Keown have enjoyed their first season on the hills, but stuck together for this race finishing together in 1 hr 26 mins, a tough night for all the runners.

Co Down 5k Road Race

Friday evening saw local athletes descend on Downpatrick town center for the fastest, flattest 5k around which is organized by Tels Fitness Studio. The evening is broken down into four race categories depending on the runner’s pace and what they are hoping to achieve. The course consists of 7 and a half laps of the town center which is great for the spectators.This year the Co Down 5k was raising funds for Air Ambulance NI in memory of Jamie ‘Jay’ Marks.

   East Down AC always turns out for this great local event and had 7 runners young and old in the second race. With the rain holding off the second race was off with 80 athletes taking on the laps of the town. First in for EDAC was Darryl Glennon in 21 min 32 sec, Sharon Madine was not too far behind in 22 min 08 sec third placed lady across the line. Dillion Hynds has had a great week, first was awarded St Patrick’s Grammars athlete of the year then third EDAC member across the line in 22 min 16 sec. The ever young Declan Teague normally goes for the longer distance, but took on the shorter challenge coming in 22 min 21 sec. Carl Keenan was next in and was happy with his time of 24 min 02 sec, not too far behind Carl was Declan Hampton in 24 min 32 sec. Bringing up the rear in the second race was Patrick Smyth and crossed the line in 25 min 18 sec. A great first race for the club members.

The last race of the night saw 5 EDAC runners take on this faster category. Matt Bezzant from the gun headed to the front and tried to keep with the front runners and was pleased with his 14th position in a time of 18 min 08 sec. Daniel Giles who has been in great form of late put in another strong race in 18 min 16 sec. Old Hand Dee Murray was next red and yellow vest across the line in 19 min 15 sec. Adam Morgan put in a strong run and enjoyed his night with a run of 19 min 49 sec. The only EDAC lady in this race was Deirdre Weatherall, who has had some great results recently, coming in 20 min 48 sec. 

The Elite race was won by Newcastle AC Robbie Hagen after a sprint finish with Annadales Johnny Craig in a time of 15 min 12 sec, a great race and a great time.