2018

Posted on 05/11/2018 by Neil McCartan

TOM A LONE STAR AT CROSS COUNTRY AT BALLYCLARE

As it is no longer a Cross Country League Fixture, the McConnell Shield event at Ballyclare has become a much less important meeting, and attendance has fallen dramatically over the past 2 years. Runners pick and choose their races with much more thought about the next team performance nowadays and for the most part are glad to have a “free” Saturday when they can relax and chill out. On Saturday only one EDAC runner, the evergreen Tom Dowey turned out at Ballyclare and gave evidence of his well being by taking 6^th place in the Over 60 Masters category. Unfortunately until I have obtained a new left knee I will be unable to accompany him on this so far, very impressive season or indeed any other campaign. But keep on going Tom you’re doing a great job, I’ll join you when I can!

LAUREN IMPRESSES AT MINNOWBURN

On Saturday morning it was Lauren Madine who took the honours when she finished second female and a very creditable 3^rd overall in 19.47 in the Born2Run Minnowburn 5K, which was won by top North Down runner Rachel Gibson.

Lauren Madine at Minnowburn Born2Run 5K

SUNDAY IN DROMORE

It is hard to believe that another McGrady Financial Services Junior XC has come along again so quickly but the theory is to get the bulk of the 5 race series over before the colder weather appears and so it was that the Juniors took to the playing fields in Dromore in bright autumnal sunshine for Race number 3 hosted by Dromore AC in their usual efficient fashion. The racing stuck to schedule and although there are no real hills in this course there are plenty of twists and turns so full concentration is required. This is one for the tacticians rather than the mud lovers. 30 of our Juniors took part and represented EDAC to the best of their ability. Every competitor gets a point for his or her club so we are delighted that so many made the effort to attend.

EDAC in the front line – P6 Boys and Girls. Eventual winners Kari Foster (80) and Alex Robinson (87)

Darragh McCrickard of Newcastle is a whiz with the figures so it makes it easy to see who did what. At a glance we can see that of our 30 athletes, 18 have managed to attend 3 out of 3 so far and are well on their way to collecting their reward for completing the series, 13 athletes made podium at Dromore – Lily Foster (P4 and under), Aoibheann McVeigh (P5), Alexander Robinson and Kieran Trainor (P6) Kari Foster and Erin Moore (P6) Matthew Taylor (P7) Jodi Foster (P7), Emily Burns (Yr8), Lauren Madine, Lucy Foster and Kara Trainor (Yr9) Mackenzie Murray (Yr 10) with special congratulations to Alex, Kari, Jodi and Lauren for coming first in their respective age groups.

Jodi Foster leads the way – P7 Girls

Lauren Madine (76) Lucy Foster (82) and Kara Trainor make the front pack in the Year 8 race

Kieran Trainor racing in to take 2nd place

As well as the ones at the front of the pack we had plenty who put in sterling performances and raced all the way to the line. Alice Taylor in one of the biggest races of the day (14 girls in the P4 and under) was not in the lead pack but caught the eye as she finished in a bunch of 4 with 2 seconds covering all 4 crossing the line. Others to impress were Anna Kearney, Ellen Tumelty, Seana Murray, Thomas Brown and Orla Gibney with a sprint finish! It was fantastic to watch.

Alice Taylor( P4 and under)

Anna Kearney EDAC(90) battles it out with Amy McCartan (35 Dromore AC)

NEWCOMERS WELCOMED

We had some first timers too – Rose and Sam Kelly gave it a go and hopefully enjoyed the experience. Aaron Mullan also a late recruit was obviously not put off by his outing in Kilbroney as he came back for a second go. This series is all about encouraging juniors to have a go and it is not too late as there are still 2 events left. Our EDAC hosted race takes place in Delamont on January 20th so plenty of time to prepare.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The only action on the home front next weekend is the Run to Remember 5K on Saturday organised by Atlas Running, in Ballynahinch starting at 2.00pm from the British Legion Hall. The N.I. and Ulster Uneven Age Groups Cross Country Championships take place on Sunday in faraway Scotstown Co. Monaghan.

On a different tack East Down AC will hold its annual Senior Awards and Social Evening in the Clubrooms on Saturday 10 November meeting at 7.00pm for 7.30pm. Hope to see all you senior members there.

Joe Quinn & Alison Carroll

5 November 2018

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 – 21/05/2018

Posted on 21/05/2018 by Neil McCartan

KNOCKEVIN SPECIAL SCHOOL 5 and 10K

I have often been accused of finding particularly hilly routes in and around Downpatrick but I have to concede the honour of the Hilliest Route Finder to the Daye brothers, who on setting out new courses for the Knockevin 5 and 10K races on Saturday managed to include the Bishops Brae B*** Buster in both. Not that participants complained mind you – they didn’t have the energy for that after running up the hill, but well done to everyone concerned for doing it!!

I was impressed too with the number of Female runners, given the other attractions on offer on the day, in particular a little advertised Royal wedding.

The Moore family with Caragh front left and Erin front right with Roisin Gaffney centre middle at Knockevin

Shane and Cormac O’Hare, Roisin Gaffney and Patricia Carson, Martina Moore with Caragh and Erin

CALLUM, ERIN and CARAGH STAR IN 5Ks

The 5K Run was won by Ballydrain’s Kyle Ross with last year’s winner Newcastle’s Ronan McVeigh 2^nd even though he ran almost 1 minute quicker than 2017, with Civil Service’s Mervyn Chambers in 3^rd place. Callum Kent was 4^th having won the Mourne Stimulus 5K for the second year in a row on Wednesday night. Matthew Taylor finished 1 place and 2 seconds ahead of Cormac O’Hare in 10^th and 11^th positions. Shane O’Hare did well to finish in 57^th place out of 84 runners while Gill and Gareth Kimpton showed perfect understanding of how to maintain marital bliss by taking 52^nd and 53^rd places respectively.

A special word of congratulations to Caragh Moore who took a nasty tumble on the start line but undeterred carried on to run the entire distance, finishing with her mother in 43.52 – a very courageous effort when the easy option would have been to pull out. Big sister Erin meantime was racing away at the front of the field and was rewarded with a superb 2^nd place in the Female category, just 16 seconds behind Murlough AC’s in form Leah Calvert, and 20 seconds ahead of Alice Scott unattached, who was in third Female to finish. Well done to all for their displays of talent.

Erin Moore with her prize for 2nd female in 5K at Knockevin

10K WINNERS and OTHERS

The 10K was won by Niall Porter (unattached but well worth a place in any Club team) in 36.09, with Newcastle’s long distance specialist Patrick Higgins in 2^nd. Third place was Flying Horse Flyers’ Barry Kelly, showing he is still able to run excellent times and well capable of putting this relatively new local club on the map. The Women’s race was won by Marie Troeng, 8^th place overall who finished just ahead of East Down’s Gareth Reilly, 9^th making his first appearance in the Club colours, with Saintfield Striders Mairead Faughey in 2^nd and Ballygalget’s ever supportive Letitia Fitzsimmons taking a well deserved 3^rd place. Newcomers John and Nuala Taylor finished in 23^rd and 27^th places respectively and have been advised to see the comments made in preceding paragraph about Gill and Gareth!!

Paddy McDonald looked strong and was happy with 16^th place, as was Roisin Gaffney, well inside the 60 minutes in 36^th place out of 70 finishers.

BALLYBEEN 5K

Catherine O’Connor made an impressive appearance in Tuesday night’s Ballybeen 5K when she picked up the Female winners prize, clocking 18.15 for 9^th place overall, while Dee Murray 18.37 in 17^th must have been looking anxiously over his shoulder for son Mackenzie 20.45 in 38^th at the finish line!

Mackenzie Murray – Ballybeen 5K

Catherine O’Connor – 1st Female in Ballybeen 5K

LES JONES 10K

Dee was out again in the Les Jones 10K on Friday night, without having the paternal worry of Tuesday on his mind, and is 38.49 gave him 17^th place overall, while Mark O’Connor’s 43.41 left him one place behind Joanne Foster’s 84^th position, which was good enough to get her 3^rd place in the F/Over 35 category. Well done Joanne.

Mark O’Connor and Dee Murray at the finish of Les Jones 10k at Mary Peters Track

Joanne Foster during the Les Jones 10K on the towpath at the River Lagan on Friday night

HILL & DALE – ROCKY

As we have come to expect Neil Andrews was the first East Down runner to cross the finish line in Thursday night’s H & D race, the famous Rocky. In a field of 259 finishers he was 18^th overall, followed by Gavin Hynds 51^st and Deirdre Weatherall 85^th but 3^rd in the Female Open category, Jonny Kelly 91^st , Paddy McDonald 168^th , John Manley 196^th as far as my memory goes or can be relied on this was a first ever H & D for John? So well done John though with Lisa finishing in 209^th (good enough to take 4^th place in her age category) my advice to you, already given to John and Nuala earlier, is to also read paragraph 2 of this report and apply acccordingly!!

Cheryl Denvir 227^th Janine Murray 238^th and Oonagh Breteche 239th were the other East Down runners to finish and complete the perfect ten.

Neil Andrews, Janine Murray, Gavin Hynds, Deidre Weatherall, Cheryl Denvir, Paddy McDonald and Lisa Milligan – Rocky Mountain

NEXT WEEKEND

Next week there are no fewer than 11 running events taking place across NI so if you can’t find something to suit you then you’re probably a swimmer! Anyway from the Runher Coastal Challenge, which I believe is a Women only event?? including a half marathon, on Friday night, to the Newry Half Marathon on Sunday, there are races at a whole variety of distances, including the Ballyclare May Fair 5 and 10K on Saturday morning at 10.00am and the Carrickmannon Church 5 and 10K on Saturday afternoon at 2.00pm. Registration up t0 1.30pm In fact why not do two or more depending on the start times, your level of fitness and the condition of your car (or helicopter).

I’m waiting on the results of an injection on Monday before I make up my mind as to what I’m doing – or until I’m told what I’m allowed to do. (See earlier references to marital bliss!!)

MARIE BYRNE, RIP

On behalf of the Management Committee, Coaches and Members of East Down Athletics Club I wish to extend sincere condolences to the Byrne family, Roger, Elaine, Louisa and James and to Billy Logue, his wife and their wider extended family, on the passing last week of a much loved and cherished wife, mother, mother in law and grandmother. The thoughts and prayers of all of us are with you at this very sad time.

Joe Quinn

20 May 2018