Paul Brear-Clarkson Norfolk Marathon (A must read)
Two weeks ago EDACs Paul Brear-Clarkson took on the Norfolk Marathon, which is held in Cromer on the coast. Paul has been training hard and put in an amazing performance of 2 hr 47 min 44 sec coming in 3rd place. Paul was running this event raising money for The Brainstrust Charity and the Tumor Charity.
What a lot of people and Club Members do not know is that over the past two years Paul has been fighting a brain tumor even when he has been competing in races. In 2022 Paul noticed that he was getting tired very easily and kept falling asleep, a bruise appeared on his head which he could not explain, so Alice his wife took him to Addenbrookes Hospital. Paul had a CT scan and was shocked to discover that he had a brain tumor. In September of 2022 Paul had surgery to remove the tumor, he had to learn to talk again, and with seven weeks of daily radiotherapy and 12 months of chemotherapy he started to recover. He is still coping with fatigue from the chemotherapy and having a large part of his brain removed. Paul will be raising money for these two brain charities by also completing the White peak marathon, Mourne way marathon, Ely marathon and Valencia marathon while still recovering from the tumor and the surgery and treatment. To do one marathon after life changing surgery is one thing but to take on 4 is another. And with Alice and the dogs McAuley and Mara supporting him with the massive task, Paul can not fail.
Hill &Dale Race 4 Binnian
The fourth race of the Hill & Dale series is Slieve Binnian, this is a straight forward start at the Bottom and finish at the top race. 250 entrants descended on Carrick Little where the race starts from, with clear conditions the runners started the 747 metres climb to the summit and the finish line.
From the gun Newcastle AC Tom Crudgington set the pace with EDACs Aaron McGrady in hot pursuit. Aaron tried to hang onto Tom’s coat tails but he pulled away as the course got steeper. Aaron crossed the finish line in 3rd position in a great time of 25 min 42 sec. James Cuffey is improving race by race and will be happy with his 16th position in a strong time of 29 min 47 sec. Over the years Paul Burns has tackled this climb many times and put a strong run in crossing the line in 33rd spot in a time of 32 min 24 sec. Binnian was Matt Bezzant’s first Hill & Dale race and enjoyed his first outing in a time 34 min 36 sec 59th position. In 140th position was Kieran Keown who is now well into the swing of the series and will be happy with his time of 39 min 34 sec. Not too far behind Kieran was John Taylor who again is very familiar with this race and the climb that goes with it and crossed the lofty finish line in 39 min 50 sec. A great turn out from the club.
Irish Milers Club
On Saturday afternoon at the Morton Stadium, Dublin was the first Irish Milers club meeting. All the best athletes from around Ireland take on track events from 800 metres to 3000 metres. EDACs Catherine O’Connor headed to Dublin to start her track season with a 3000 metres. Up against a very strong field Catherine crossed the finish line in 7th spot out of 13 runners, in a time 10 min 03 sec, a great start to the season for Catherine.
Belfast City Marathon
Early on Sunday morning saw the 42nd Moy Park Belfast City Marathon. With 5000 full marathon runners and many more taking on the team relay race, with a lot of money being raised for many charities. The race starts on the main drive of Stormont estate and finishes in Ormeau Park, taking in North, South, East and West Belfast with great support from the whole city. With clear and warm conditions East Down AC had 8 brave runners taking on the challenge all with different goals. Gordy Graham has had a strong start to the road running year and was aiming for a strong time up against some top international athletes.
From the gun Gordy paced a great run, coming in 26th position in a time of 2 hr 36 min 35 sec that’s 5 min 54 sec per mile for 26 miles, some going. Dee Murray only a couple of weeks after the Manchester marathon hit the roads of Belfast with another strong performance clocking 3 hr 08 min 27 sec. Next in was Daniel Giles, who has been training hard and aiming for a PB, which he achieved with a very strong 3 hr 16 min 34 sec, great effort from Daniel.
EDACs marathon man Philip Vint is aiming for 100 marathons by the end of the year, and notch off number 94. Philip was running with his friend Ciaran Sloan, the guys were both raising money for Children’s Heartbeat Trust who have helped Ciarans son James, and Ciaran has almost raised £10 000 for this great charity. The guys crossed the finish line in 3 hr 56 min 38 sec, an amazing effort all round.
Sharon Madine was the first EDAC lady across the finish line and was happy with her running coming under the 4 hour mark in 3 hr 58 min 31 sec. The next lady was Joanne Carson who works away with her training very quietly and turns out for the club clocking a time of 5 hr 07 min 20 sec.
Ella Carroll did her first marathon last year, she was back for more this year. But with injuries hampering her buildup Ella was slightly slower this year in 5 hr 16 min 52 sec. A great event for the runners and the supporters alike, well done all.
East down AC Couch to 5k
East Down AC will be starting a weekly Couch to 5k training commencing Wednesday 29th May 24 for 6 weeks. This will be completely free of Charge. The training will assemble at East Down AC clubrooms Ballydugan estate opposite the Royal Mail sorting office at 7pm. For more information contact James on 07752320350.