Run the Runways
Friday evening saw local athletes head to Newtownards for the Run The Runways 5 and 10k hosted by Scrabo Striders. This is a flat, fast race and if conditions are good, some great times are on the table. In the 5k race EDAC had two runners Adam Morgan and Wayne Giles joined 305 runners on the start line for this event. With the sun beating down on the airfield Adam looking for a good time went for it and will be pleased with his time and position of 19 min 53 sec and 28th spot. Again Wayne Giles will be happy with his evenings work clocking 26 min 43 sec in 163rd position. In the 10k Leanne Spick took on 154 athletes in the longer distance which takes in a number of laps of the runways, and Leanne will be pleased with her time in warm conditions of 47 min, 50th position. Well done to all at this well organised event.
The Moray Coastal Trail 50
Early Saturday morning Across the water on the North East coast of Scotland EDACs Jonathan Gelston was taking on the Moray Coastal Trail 50 mile. This race has some of the most breathtaking scenery in Scotland. With its wide sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs, coastal formations and attractive fishing villages, the race starts in Forres, taking in Findhorn, Lossiemouth and Spey Bay finishing in Cullen. 50 marathon runners were taking on this Ultra and with blue sky’s and good conditions Jonathan took on the massive challenge. He has been training away quietly and was very happy with his time getting round the scenic route in 9 hrs 15 mins 53 sec, a great effort by Jonathan. He did wear trainers for this event but was quick to get them off once finished ( see picture ).
Slieve Donard Mountain Race
On Saturday Afternoon in Newcastle Co Down saw the 79th running of the oldest mountain race in Ireland. Once the early morning mist had cleared and the sun came out making running conditions very warm, after a race brief near the start line in Donard Park 150 athletes toed the start line ready for this steep climb to the summit. East Down had three entrants in this year’s race, Nialll Gibney, James Cuffey and Keiran Kewon, from the gun they all made their way up along the Glen river up to the saddle, then to the summit following the Mourne wall. James got to the summit first with Niall hot on his heels with Keiran taking this challenge in his stride. From the summit it’s a steep descent via the quarry to the finish line back in Donard Park. James is a strong climber, and Niall is a great descender, so it was always going to be a close call between them. James crossed the line in 19th spot in a time 1 hr 6 mins not so far behind Niall broke the tap in 22 nd position 1 hr 7 mins, first in the M45 category. Kieran Keown who was taking on the race for the first will be very happy with his time of 1 hr 27 min in tricky conditions. Great effort from the lads, Slieve Donard is one the local races that all runners should give a go at least once.
