Sunday morning saw EDAC athletes head south to Dublin for the annual marathon which has been held every year since 1980. The course starts at Fitzwilliam Street and finishes in Merrion Square, close to historic Trinity College in the city center. The course passes through many of Dublin’s famous 18th century Georgian streets and the beautiful Phoenix Park, Europe’s largest urban park. Conditions on the day were unsettled with some sunny spells with some heavy showers for later on in the race. East Down AC had 9 brave runners make the trip to take on the toughest of races. All these athletes have been quietly training away, putting in the big miles and trying to avoid injuries.

22,500 runners from 60 countries toed the start line for this flat and fast course and from the gun Dermot Cahill was on a mission to get under the 3 hour mark, Dermot has done a number of marathons but has always just missed out on a sub 3 run. After a well paced race he came in 2 hrs 59 min 35 sec in 754th position and a PB, a great effort from Dermot. Not too far behind Dermot was Barrie Atkinson was next in and proved that being a Grandad does not slow you down with a time 3 hr 05 min 48 sec. Second PB of the day went to Paul Brear Clarkson, beating his best time by four minutes and partnered by wife Alice both broke the tap in 3 hr 06 min 38 sec, great team work from this couple, but Alice did admit it was tough going out there. Niamh Kellet was the next Red and Yellow vest to cross the line in 3 hr 19 min 36 sec, another determined run from Niamh. Philip VInt who is running a marathon a month and is an old hand at the Dublin marathon came in 3 hr 38 min 49 sec, that’s his 88th marathon completed. Another runner who knows the streets of Dublin well is Declan Teague, and with relatively little training came in 3 hr 45 min 41 sec, and was pleased with his efforts. Stephen McCarten was next in 4 hrs 40 min 46 sec, great effort from Stephen. Joanne Carson will be pleased to get under the five hour mark with a time of 4 hr 57 min 09 sec. Some great performances from the EDAC athletes. The men’s race was won by Kemal Husen in a new course record of 2 hr 06 min 52 sec with Amente Sorome Negash winning the ladies race in 2 hr 26 min 22 sec.