2019

Posted on 28/01/2019 by Neil McCartan

NI & ULSTER INTERMEDIATE & MASTERS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Last year I wrote after the Intermediate and Masters Cross Country Championships that this was the fixture which all of East Down AC had been waiting for. And after securing Silver medals last year, there was no less anticipation within the ranks that the Ladies could well improve on that this year. However, due to unforeseen circumstances and a series of injuries affecting several of the top runners, it was a case of not counting too many chickens. The team performances in the League fixtures had been inconsistent to say the least, so “those in the know” were reluctant to express too much enthusiasm about the Club’s chances beforehand.

VENUE A PROBLEM

ANI had experienced great difficulty in securing a venue for this year’s championships but finally settled on Barnett’s Park, near the House of Sport, as a last resort. The route was contrived and convoluted to say the least, though all praise must go to the officials who managed to mark it out as the weather finally turned seasonal and dumped an unwelcome deluge of water on the course overnight.

INTERMEDIATE WOMEN’S RACE over 4 K

The Intermediate Women’s race was the first of the 4 race card, normally 3 but increased numbers meant that the usual practice of holding both the Intermediate and Masters Women races together was considered unsafe. This meant that the Intermediate Women got first crack at the 4K distance over 3 laps of the sodden turf. From the gun the pace was fast and the Red and yellow EDAC colours were prominent with Catherine O’Connor taking up a position in the top 6, closely pursued by Caroline McNabb, Niamh Kellett and Deirdre Weatherall, all of whom were in the top 30 runners, with Clare Carson playing the essential savers role By the time the 3^rd and final muscle wrenching lap had begun here had been changes to the position of the ED girls, with Catherine struggling to retain her place but with Caroline and Niamh having moved up noticeably. However, Catherine dug deep and held onto 10^th place, while Caroline secured 11^th place, with an impressive middle race surge and Niamh was engaged in a battle with Newcastle’s Sinead Murtagh, only managing to break clear in the last 5 strides to grab 12^th place.

Niamh Kellett, Deirdre Weatherall, Caroline MacNabb, Catherine O’Connor and Clare Carson – NI & Ulster Intermediate Ladies Cross Country Champons, posing with a substitute Cup on Saturday.

FOURTH

So it was all down to Deirdre and Clare Carson the 4^th and 5^th members of the team. It is essential that 4 runners from a club cross the finish line in order to constitute a team. So all eyes were on the tortuous drag to the finish line when out of the gloom emerged Deirdre, who responded to the cheers and who crossed the line in 20^th place. By this time, of course, having run out of fingers and toes, I had lost count of what position she was in, so I anxiously awaited the announcement of the Team placings, knowing that it was probably going to be a close call between us and Willowfield Harriers for who Hannah Gilliland was the first finisher in 8^th place with her clubmate Anna Blake in 9^th.

THREE TO ONE

So when they were announce as first Omagh, 2^nd Willowfield and 3^rd East Down , I was taken aback. Relatively pleased but puzzled as to where Omagh come from to take first place? Unfortunately I couldn’t hear how many points, based on the aggregate total of the first 4 finishing places, had been awarded to each team so headed for the Results Tent to speak to the Championchip guru, Glenn Grant. And then came another announcement, saying that there had been an error in calculating the team scores and that the revised result was “First East Down, 2^nd Omagh and third Willowfield.

Clare finished in 48^th place, which would still have given the team 3^rd place if any of the other runners had dropped out.

NO GOLD IN THE SPERRINS

I didn’t hear the scores that time either as all haste was needed to recall the EDAC squad who had already headed for the exit, complete with Bronze medals. And of course one had to feel sorry for the Omagh girls who had been presented with the Gold medals and the trophy and were now hightailing it out of own towards the safety of the Sperrins, little realising that their celebrations were about to take a rapid dive into the ground with the recall of medals and trophy!

CHAMPIONS AT LAST

Anyway not to be outdone the Girls quickly returned to the podium area and grabbed the Masters Trophy for photographic purposes and went through the ritual of celebrating all over again – only this time as the CHAMPIONS. When the trophy and the correct colour medals are received a formal presentation will be arranged and photographs will be taken.

Incidentally the scores were East Down 56, Omagh 64 and Willowfield 71.

MASTERS MEN RACE over 8K

East Down didn’t have a team in the women’s masters race, so attention next turned to the Male Master’s, where the Down men had the bare minimum of 4 runners. Club Captain Dee Murray was hopeful but not unduly optimistic that the team comprising himself, Neil Curran, Martin Willcox and Donal Smith, would at least equal their 2018 position of 10^th. Neil it was who set the marker for the squad, as he continues to test the water in his first season of cross country running, eventually working his way through the field to take 24^th place, closely followed by Martin in 39^th place and Dee in 58^th position. Donal then needed to finish to ensure a team score and he duly obliged crossing in 114^th place and in the process gave the club 10^th place once again. Paul Carroll once again led his Annadale team home, to 3^rd place in the team competition and in the process he also took the individual 2^nd place in the Over 45 category.

Neil Curran, Dee Murray, Martin Willcox, Donal Smith – Masters’ Men XC

INTERMEDIATE MEN over 8K

The last event of the day was the “Blue Riband” Intermediate Men’s race, which was targeted by me since last year as the club’s best chance of Team and/or individual medals. Unfortunately due to injuries to several key individuals in the run up to the event, East Down only had two runners on the day, Aaron McGrady, who was 6^th in 2018 and Gordy Graham, who had rushed home from Kenya to take part.

Gordy Graham and Aaron McGrady (3rd place) Intermediate Men XC

THE AFRICAN CONNECTION?

So what was he doing there? He told me

“There was a group of 32 of us including four ex Irish players raising money for the Irish Rugby Charitable Trust which looks after former amateur players with life changing injuries. The aim was to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. I found it mentally a lot tougher than physically as it was long days out on your feet at a very slow pace to get used to the altitude. Hardest part was sleeping in a cold and wet tent and it was so cold at the very top! A quick photo with the sign and back down again.”

Gordy Graham – on trip to climb Mt Kilimanjaro – doing his “Top of the World Ma” impression and at the summit with some of his friends.

A HILL TOO FAR?

But at least he has the proof – see photos! Well done Gordy and thank you for coming back in time for the Race on Saturday. It’s a pity that you couldn’t have spent a few more days doing altitude training as your overall feeling after the race on Saturday was of total physical exhaustion. Though let’s face it 44^th place in a strong competitive race isn’t bad, considering you’d literally been given a mountain to climb a few days ago!

AARON HITS THE PODIUM

After last year’s valiant attempt in this race when it was held at the Billy Neill Centre near Dundonald, Aaron McGrady was quietly regarded, within EDAC circles, as a good bet for at least a podium place. However standing in his way was last year’s 5^th placed runner and recently crowned Irish Novice Cross Country Champion, Zak Hanna and his Newcastle clubmate Patrick McNiff, better known as a track athlete. So setting out from the start it was this trio plus Lorcan Magee, Beechmount Harriers and the Acorns pair of Vincent McKenna and Eoin Hughes who filled the top 6 places. And so it continued for the first 2 laps, with McGrady taking the lead at the start of lap 3 to try to exert some pressure on the Newcastle men. But as lap 4 unfolded it was Hanna and McNiff who had moved ahead of the East Down man and increased their lead well into the last lap. It was then that Hanna made his decisive move and he outpaced McNiff to claim an historic victory. McNiff crossed the line 11 seconds behind him with Aaron a further 11 seconds back in 3^rd, just reward for his role in an intriguing contest.

WELL DONE NEWASTLE AC

Newcastle packed extremely well and easily claimed the team prize by virtue of the fine runs by Luke McMullan 6^th, Aidan Brown 8^th Daniel Molloy 11^th and Thomas O’Gorman 29^th on top of Hanna and McNiff’s, results to give a total of 57 points against Acorn’s 75 and the 3^rd placed team Springwell on 190 points.

NEXT YEAR?

And so back to the drawing board again for Aaron as he contemplates his moves for next year. Admittedly he was not unduly perturbed by his loss on Saturday, in fact he sees it as more of a win, in that he has improved on his 2018 performance, still has the ability and determination to improve even further, has gained invaluable experience this year and won’t have the 2 runners who beat him in opposition to him next year! From the club point of view he really needs the support of some more EDAC runners around him, even if they prove unable to win the team trophy, which incidentally I believe they can.

But for now it’s back to the training and racing grindstone again for him as he endeavours to hone his fitness to new levels, with the emphasis on building up his strength and stamina.

Then it’ll be “Look out the Inter crown in 2020 I’m coming to get ya.”

ANOTHER MARATHON SUCCESS

Phillp Vint chalked up yet another marathon when he completed the East of Ireland Staplestown Marathon outside Dublin, on Sunday, his time of 3.14.48 being good enough to win him 3^rd place, a mere 30 seconds behind the 2^nd place. His wife Helen completed the half marathon at the same venue in 2.10.40. Well done to both.

Phillip Vint – receives his 3rd place trophy at East of Ireland Marathon in Staplestown near Dublin on Saturday

NEXT WEEKEND

It’s the Moira Cross Country meeting next Saturday and a large entry is expected for this popular event. First race is listed for 11.45am

Joe Quinn

28 January 2019

The Weekly News – 22/10/2018

Posted on 22/10/2018 by Neil McCartan

RULE CHANGES for START of NEW CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE SEASON

Further changes to the Cross Country rules this year mean that clubs only have to find 12 runners to score maximum attendance points, down from last year’s 16. This is aimed at the smaller clubs who were struggling to field 16 runners over the 8 rounds of the League to enable them to send a more realistic number to gain full attendance points in order to retain an interest in the League throughout the season. There are points in addition to the award of place points depending on the finishing places of the first 4 runners, all the way down to 8^th place. The other rules are unchanged and Clubs are reminded that they must field a minimum of 4 runners in order to receive any attendance points, nor will they be eligible to be included in the calculations for place points unless they have at least 4 finishers.

COMBER CUP TIME AGAIN

After deciding that I would go to Comber for the opening round of the Cross Country League again this year, as opposed to heading in the opposite direction to observe the Gr8 Dundrum Challenge which was again scheduled for another full house, I was surprised to find that my reasoning last year was because I was actually RUNNING at Comber!

That is but a pipe dream now as I have joined the ranks of the masses looking for a new knee. I’m asked often if it’s because of the thousands of miles of running I have asked my joints to bear over my forty year “career”. And of course I say not at all, sure my right knee has taken just as much punishment as the left one and it’s perfectly all right!! My own view is that the wear and tear is related to running in that too much praying, seeking favours from on High for running oriented activities, caused the excessive use of the joint!

JUNIORS IMPRESS

Conditions were pleasant with autumnal, almost warm, sunshine and surprisingly firm ground which barely necessitated spikes. Anna Gardiner pulled off a good win in the U13 Girls event and Lauren Madine also made the podium coming 2nd in the U15 age group. Adam Morgan lined up in the U17 event and ran strongly over the longer distance.

Anna Gardiner picking up first prize in U13 Girls at Comber XC

Lauren Madine 2nd in U15 Girls Comber XC

EDAC Juniors relax after the afternoon’s racing at the McGrady Financial Junior XC Series

LADIES LEARN FROM TOM

The East Down Ladies turned out a team of 4 runners led by Catherine O’ Connor who, in spite of struggling through 2 of the 3 lap race with a pace restricting stitch, held on tenaciously to 6^th place, fending off the in – form Gerrie Short from Beechmount in a sprint to the line. Catherine Gilchrist and Janine Murray both ran very well, drawing on the experiences gained in last year’s cross country and the Hill & Dale series.

6	104	Catherine O’Connor	FO	00:21:56
54	162	Tom Dowey	M60	00:27:52
59	108	Catherine Gilchrist	F40	00:28:05
67	106	Janine Murray	FO	00:28:38
113	109	Eimear Degan	FO	00:32:08

Eimear Degan had heard so much about the XC that she thought she would like to try it for herself. After the race she was still in two minds, both of them against, as to whether it really was her cup of tea but she has been “persuaded” to try, at least, another one!

Catherine Gilchrist, Janine Murray, Catherine O’Connor, Eimear Degan at Comber XC

And the evergreen Tom Dowey improved his 69^th place last year to 54^th in a field of 152 finishers and in the process, giving an excellent example to Catherine and Janine of how to pace a race.

HOW THE MEN FARED

27	259	Paul Burns	M40	00:27:20
108	330	Paul Lloyd	M40	00:32:13
124	262	James Smyth	U20	00:33:40
170	334	Donal Smith	M45	00:40:44

Ably led by Paul Burns in the absence of several of East Down’s big hitters, mostly because of their attention being on Dublin Marathon business next Sunday, East Down’s men fielded the requisite 4 runners to register a team score, though they were 10^th placed team, just outside the top 8 point scoring places. Apart from Paul B, who maintained an excellent pace throughout to take 27^th place, the team comprised of Donal Smith, Paul Lloyd and James Smyth is still eligible to be called novices at cross country level.

Donal Smith, Paul Burns, James Smyth and Paul Lloyd at Comber XC

FAST LEARNERS or NO PAIN NO GAIN??

Donal had learnt from his experiences at the Relays that a quick start can lead to misery so he paced this one from the get go. Not sure if he would say he avoided the suffering part as a result but it did mean he finished strongly. As a fast learner he will come to realise that the suffering is part of the enjoyment of cross country running and that being able to speak, inside ten minutes afterwards, is a bonus! By all accounts though, he is eager for the next one to give it another go. James Smyth is on the comeback from his months of studies and did well to get through the challenging course. Paul Lloyd ran his usual competent race and did well to finish just outside the top 100 in what was a high class field, headed by this year’s Jimmy’s Ten winner Mark McKinstry.

NIALL STARS in MOURNE SKYLINE RACE

In all of the efforts by East Down’s runners at the weekend top of the heap must be Niall Gibney’s efforts in the 2018 Mourne Skyline Mountain Trail Race on Saturday. In a field of 248 starters and 228 finishers he placed a superb 68^th in 5 hours 35 minutes. This race involves climbing to the top of all the high peaks in the Mourne range twice and covers a distance of 35K with a total climb of 3730 metres. Considering that Niall only took up mountain running a year ago this performance is a tremendous achievement.

GR8 RACE in DUNDRUM

Again although this is one of my favourite races I missed it for the second year in a row. Why? Well I wasn’t in shape to run it this year and I was already on my way to Dundonald for the Comber Cup cross country fixture when I remembered it. Not, to be honest, that it would have made a difference to my choice of venue. The Gr8 Dundrum Challenge is, for me at least, a participation event, not really one to spectate at, so I opted for Comber!

Anyway East Down was well represented in Dundrum by Phillip Vint 58.35 and Gareth Kelly 58.50, having a last blow out before their assault on Dublin next Sunday, with debutant Eamon Kelly 66.20, George Kerr 69.07 supported by wife Noreen 88.20, great to see them on the road again, Gabhan Mac ConMidhe 72.32 and Carmel Tumelty 76.04 making up the squad.

Gareth Kelly (423) slipstreams Phillip Vint (954) on the boardwalk during the Gr8 Run at Dundrum

McGRADY’S FINANCIAL SERVICES JUNIOR CROSS COUNTRY SERIES Round 2

At almost the same time as the above, the second race of the McGrady Series, hosted by Burren AC, was held in the hard to beat surroundings of the Forest park at Kilbroney. The turnout from EDAC was down in number as some were racing at the Comber Cup XC and others were locked into other Saturday sports commitments but those that were there, did the club proud. 11 EDAC athletes were in the top 3 of their age group and the following took first place – Lily Foster (P4 and under), Alexander Robinson (P6), Kari Foster (P6), Jodi Foster (P7), Anna Kearney (yr8), Lucy Foster (yr9), Mackenzie Murray (yr10), Kirsti Foster (yr10). And watch out all you Foster girls, I’ve heard that brother Jay is on the run now too and he’s looking out for you!!

It is worth mentioning again that every athlete gets a point for the club so all who turned out are deserving of praise and hopefully they enjoyed the great conditions and the excitement of running in the packs. Next round is in Dromore on Sunday 4th November and it would be fantastic to see a big entry from the club.

Thomas Brown, Jack Carson and Aoife Burke at Kilbroney Forest Park for the McGrady xc

DUBLIN MARATHON RUNNERS.

Good Luck to all EDAC members and indeed to all runners from the NM&DDC area who will be taking on the streets of Dublin on Sunday morning as part of the City Marathon. May you have a dry, calm, cool and fast run – in preparation for the Flatter and Faster new Belfast City Marathon on SUNDAY 5 May 2019.

Don’t forget all you thrifty running folk out there, it’s cheaper to enter Belfast before the end of October. So why not get your entry in now and run Dublin with an easy mind?

Joe Quinn & Alison Carroll

22 October 2018

The Weekly News – 15/10/2018

Posted on 15/10/2018 by Neil McCartan

EVEN CALLUM CANNOT DAMPEN SPIRITS

There were 276 runners in Saintfield 10K organised by Atlas Running in conjunction with Saintfield Striders and in aid of the Air Ambulance NI. The forecast was not good and the reality was not much better. Heavy showers and lying water, the tail end of Storm Callum, made this one for the brave hearted and EDAC had a few hardy souls turn out.

10K RUNNERS

In 115th place was Lawrence Cullen – 53 minutes exactly and a number of years since his original debut for the Club way back when he was a boy. He was followed by Donal Smith 53.26 who had a sibling tussle with his brother Patrick 53.08. Patrick is yet to join any club but Donal is doing his best to encourage him to follow the example of their sister Suzy who has newly joined up to EDAC. Suzy gave herself a stiff challenge by completing the Orangefield Parkrun on Saturday morning and then travelling to Saintfield where she ran the 5K in 31.41. Family bonding at its best! Well Done Suzy!

Patrick, Suzy and Donal Smyth – Family fun at Saintfield

THE GIRLS WERE THERE TOO!

Tracy McCaughey also completed the 10K in a time of 55.49 while Eimear Degan ran with Gareth Amos for good company and came in a joint 56.55. They said the hills were bad enough without the rain and yet in the photos they are smiling so it can’t have been all bad! Linda Cunningham also braved the elements for a soggy outing, just to prove that she also does short!

Tracy McCaughey, Gareth Amos, Lawrence Cullen and Eimear Degan after the Saintfield 10k

5K RUNNERS

The 5K distance attracted 127 runners and was won overall by Kyle Ross of Ballydrain Harriers in a nifty 17.58. The female winner Rachel Gibson of North Down AC was third overall in a time of 18.52. EDAC Junior Lauren Madine undeterred by the stiff competition ran a determined 21.45 to get 2nd female and Susie Cave (22.02) Lagan Valley completed the female podium.

Susie Cave (3rd) Rachel Gibson NDAC (1st) and Lauren Madine EDAC (2nd) in Saintfield 5K

PAUL MASTERED AT THE MASTERS TRIAL

Paul Burns was the only EDAC representative in the NI Master’s Cross Country Trials, held at Queen’s Playing Fields on Saturday morning, from which the representative teams for the British X/C Championships are chosen. With the top 6 finishers in each category guaranteed selection, Paul faced a stiff task as his Age Group 40 – 44 , is one of the toughest and most competitive. In the event he ran very well, completing the 8K course in 28.52, but it was only good enough for 11^th place in his category. However he is undeterred and will return again next year when he will be in the 45–49 bracket. My advice is to look (or wait) for a category with 6 or less in it to come along! I’ve been waiting for years and even now in the 70-74 category, my wait (and unfortunately because of the inactivity, my weight) goes on!

FLAHAVAN’S PRIMARY SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY SERIES

During the week the Flahavans XC for Primary Schools kicked off at the Henry Jones Playing Fields in the Castlereagh Hills. EDAC’s runners Jodi Foster was the clear winner of the Primary Girls with sister Kari close behind in 4th. Erin Moore came 10th in the Primary Girls and Ella Telford, 46^th of 114, also ran for her school Downpatrick’s Primary, though with only 2 runners, they were unable to record a team score. Jodi and Kari’s places, combined with their teammates in 21^st and 22^nd places put Spa Primary at the top of the league after race one with 48 points.

Alex Robinson ran very well to come 7th in the Primary Boys’ Race. A great start to the campaign.

Jodi Foster 698 taking the lead in the Primary Girls’ Race

Alex Robinson 759 battling it out in the Primary Boys’ Race at Flahavans xc.

NEXT WEEK

Everyone is looking forward eagerly to the opening round of the 2018/19 Cross Country League, which takes place on Saturday at the Billy Neill Playing Fields when Ballydrain Harriers stage their annual Comber Cup fixture. Races begin at 12.00noon, so see you all there!

AND DON”T FORGET – DATE FOR THE DIARY

The Annual Senior Awards and Social Night will take place Saturday 10th November at the Club Rooms and by now you should have received an email inviting you to attend. Guests accompanying members are also welcome. Do let us know if this is not the case to allow us to check our contact records. Please reply to the email or get in touch with Janine 07821 698695 by October 30th to confirm numbers and dietary requirements in order to inform the caterer. There will be a buffet supper, complimentary drink on arrival, music, awards and all for a tenner. What more could you want? It is carefully timed long enough after Dublin Marathon so that those who took part will be fit to celebrate and also that the stories told will encourage others to give it a go rather than put them off! It is also a good chance to egg each other on to sign up to some challenges for the season ahead.

Nominations for awards can be emailed to membership@eastdownac.co.uk or left in an envelope with any Committee Member. (Male/Female/Most Improved Male/Female and Club person based on the last 12 months). Nominations should be forwarded by November 2nd.

Joe Quinn & Alison Carroll

15 October 2018

The Weekly News – 26/03/2018

Posted on 26/03/2018 by Neil McCartan

JIMMY’S TEN 2018

What a difference a week makes!! Just 7 days after the gloom that had descended on East Down AC following the postponement of Jimmy’s Ten last Sunday, came the joy at the opposite end of the emotional spectrum. Relief as well was another palpable emotion felt by everyone involved at the actual staging the race. A week’s intensive work by East Down members and the good offices of a wide range of outside bodies led to the event taking place just one week late. The advent of a beautiful Spring morning greeted the organisers as they took advantage of the extra hour’s sunlight to stage what was described by some as a “miraculous turnaround”.

CLUB APOLOGISES

Of course putting on an event like Jimmy’s Ten can cause inconvenience at the best of times and even more so when it has to be rearranged at short notice. East Down AC wish it to be known that they apologise to anyone who did not hear of the re-arranged details or was affected in any way by the road closures and hold ups brought about by Sunday’s race. Every effort was made by the Club and other bodies to highlight the new arrangements but we acknowledge that not everyone heard. We sincerely hope that you were not delayed in either reaching your place of worship, the horse racing at Downpatrick Racecourse or indeed any other destination on Sunday morning.

IN the absence of any of the previous winners in either the Men’s or Women’s races there was always going to be new names to be inscribed on the winners Shield. In the event, despite the difficulties caused by last week’s postponement, the delay enabled several runners who were not due to take part , because of other commitments, to enter and to contribute to the contest at the front. Although Mark McKinstry, North Belfast Harriers, eventually ran out the clear winner, his time of 31.45 giving him a 68 second advantage over Willowfield’s Neil Weir, less than 24 hours since he took 3^rd place in the Larne Half Marathon, with another 5 second gap between him and 3^rd placed Gerard Heaney unattached. Emmett McGinty 4^th from City of Derry Spartans just held off the challenge of East Down’s Aaron McGrady, a runner who has improved out of all recognition this year and who is targeting Jimmy’s Ten next year as his No. 1 priority. I wouldn’t bet against him achieving his goal.

Jimmy’s 10K Men’s Podium

Not all that far behind Aaron came the tough as teak and ever dependable Martin Willcox 36.07, in 9^th place and 1^st Male Over 45, followed by another to look out for in the coming months Ciaran Denvir 37.04 in 15^th place.

HISTORIC WIN FOR CATHERINE

The next East Down vest to appear was worn by Catherine O’Connor 38.15, in overall 19^th place, who thanks to last week’s postponement was prevailed on to run this time and set her place in the history of the race by becoming the first East Down AC member to win the Ladies race.

THE SUB 40 SQUAD

Out of the 596 finishers there were 36 runners under the 40 minute barrier, a pretty good percentage by today’s standard.

And continuing the good cross country form he has shown all year Dee Murray 39.24 was comfortably inside that number claiming 25^th place, while young Callum Kent 39.33 was right behind, as the second leg runner in the winning Relay duo formed with another East Down man James Savage. Tracey Atkinson Albertville 39.37 and Susan Smyth Dromore AC 39.43 won the 2^nd and 3^rd Ladies prizes in 29^th and 30^th places respectively while Dermot Cahill 39.48 was the last EDAC man to cross the line in sub 40 minutes, setting a new pb in the process, having taken his lead from the 40 minute pacer, East Down’s Paul Burns, an excellent spot on run in 39.53. Perhaps he’ll get it spot on next year!!

Liam Keenan was not particularly pleased with posting 42.18, just behind clubmates Colin Shields and Deirdre Weatherall, though he should be pleased as punch given his lack of proper training I recent months. The first All Female Relay Team, East Down’s Lauren Madine and Anna Gardiner 41.24 finished just ahead of this group, which also comprised the second all Female Relay team of Lucy and Kirsti Foster 41.58.

My postman, Neil Young, did extremely well to finish in 42.55, so customers on his round can expect a first class delivery tomorrow – but no bills for me please! East Down debutant Niall Gibney looked comfortable with his 43.34, while Edie Carroll simply cruised in at 43.37, to claim the Female Junior prize followed by Aoife Cochrane in 44.16. Another debutant in Club colours was Garry Walsh in 44.31, with Cheryl Denvir, Paddy McDonald, Michael Morrissey, Michael Robinson, Conor Findlay another promising Junior making his debut at the distance and John Manley all in close proximity. Conor’s Mum Wendy made it into the top 200 finishers taking 197^th place . Marguerite Robinson led the next squad of EDAC men and women comprising Seaus Savage, Liz O’Hagen, Tracey McCaughey, Roisin Gaffney, Ian McCracken, Alison Graham, Cathy Burke, Gavin McConvey, Joanne Carson, Catherine Gilchrist, Janine Murray, Cathy Flinn and Laura Smith who all crept in under the 60 minute mark while Sean Sealey and Mags Flynn were only slightly beyond it.

However the prize for he most appropriate placing goes to Karen McFall, running number 541, who finished in 541^st place. She’s gong looking for number 1 next year!

QUEEN’S 3 and 5K RACES and LARNE HALF MARATHON

East Down athletes were also busy at two other venues during the week, with several doubling up with 2 races including Jimmy’s Ten on Sunday. Half Marathon performances as shown in attached spreadsheet. Details of Queen’s & Larne performances to follow next week.

Joe Quinn

26 March 2018