THE ULSTER SCHOOLS’ CROSS COUNTRY AT MALLUSK

The Ulster Schools’ Cross Country was held in Mallusk on Wednesday past. It had been postponed when there was an issue with council permissions and as the pre planned date ended up being a snowy day it seemed a blessing in disguise. However as the new date approached there were further rumours that the go ahead had still not been confirmed and right up to the day before there was still a doubt that Mallusk would be the venue and local politicians were called in to exert influence. So it was with a sense of relief that the athletes who had qualified from the District stages all converged on the City of Belfast Playing Fields. There was added excitement that the BBC cameramen were there to live stream the action on the BBC Sport Channel.

BRONZE FOR OLLIE

The racing got underway with the younger age groups and East Down had interest in the Minor Girls when Emily Burns (Colaiste Feirste) ran a good race coming 33rd out of a huge entry of 123. Then came the Minor Boys with 122 runners. Ollie Robinson running for Down High had won a silver medal at the Districts by going out hard and hanging on and it was obvious that he was going to try the same approach when he hit the first bend in front. It was a good move as many lost places in the chicane as they got jostled in the tight turn. He looked strong but many feared that he would regret his bravery as there was an eager posse on his tail. He held the lead through the small loop and then for the greater part of the large loop. In the end he was not able to withstand the challenge from behind and first one and then a second boy edged past. Ben Warnock went on to take Gold and Finn Diver the Silver but Ollie gritted his teeth and made sure he was still on the podium. A Bronze medal at Ulster level is a great achievement and by way of a bonus it also gains him a place in the All Ireland School’s Cross Country Championships next weekend.

LAUREN GRABS GOLD BUT ANNA MISSES OUT

Just as we were getting over the excitement of Ollie’s run, the Junior Girls were lining up. Again there was a mad charge for pole position, again there was a slight break away bunch and again there was courage shown when EDAC’s Lauren Madine (St Mary’s Downpatrick) went to the fore and Lucy Foster (Willowfield/Down High) went with her. They ran neck and neck for the entire race with the occasional switch in positions. Emer McCanny of Loreto Grammar, Omagh was also hanging on in third place.  Anna Gardiner another EDAC athlete (Assumption Grammar) had a much more difficult  ride as she had to battle from a rough start, falling foul of the aforementioned chicane and it took her most of the race to eventually manoeuvre into 4th. As they hit the last straight we were watching Lauren race Lucy to the line and Anna give every ounce as she tried for 3rd against Emer. Lauren made a break and held on for the win with Lucy just behind and Anna just ran out of ground to catch Emer (3rd) and so she had the bittersweet result of finishing in 4^th, widely regarded as the worst possible place to finish.  This was a tremendous demonstration of talent and determination by all 4 girls. To make the Top 10 in Ulster is fantastic as it is the Top 15 who qualify for the All Ireland’s but to miss a medal by such a narrow margin is hard for Anna to take. However, it is all part of life’s learning curve and she will have little time to lament this unfortunate happening before she has the chance to rectify things in next week’s All Ireland School’s Cross Country Championships at Santry.

STARS FOR THE DAY

Both Ollie and Lauren were given their moment in the spotlight when they were interviewed by the BBC. They’re not sure which was most gruelling – the race or having a microphone shoved in their faces and having to answer questions afterwards! The pair also earned slots in the NI Team for the London Mini Marathon in April. This exciting 3 Mile event takes place in the Mall on the morning of the London Marathon and is hotly contested by schools and clubs throughout the UK. It is great to have 2 of our juniors involved.

FINAL FLING FOR EDIE

As the age groups go up, the numbers start to decline but it means that those who are there are the best in the sport with no back runners to fill the ranks. Mackenzie Murray (St Colmcille’s Crossgar) running as an Inter Boy did extremely well to come 20th out 110. He maintained a steady pace throughout the race. Edie Carroll (Down High) running as her last year in the Schools’ Cross Country was pleased to come 14th as it means that she too has qualified for a slot in the All Irelands next weekend in Santry. The best bit about the day in the cold was being able to come home and watch it all again on catch up TV. The coverage was a good insight into the world of Cross Country and got across how demanding the sport can be. Even if it doesn’t encourage others to take it up, it will ensure that due respect is paid to those who participate!

Edie has been a club stalwart for many years and we know that she will do well in whatever profession she eventually chooses, given her dedication to training and competing as a highly valued junior member of the Club. Everyone in East Down AC wishes her well as she moves on to higher education and beyond.  Good Luck and Best Wishes, Edie.

BACK TO BASICS

On Sunday the first in a series of what are called the Back to Basics 5 and 10K races advertised by the promoter Gaithouse Events, under the mantra “No bling, No buffs, No bull!” took place in Victoria Park in Belfast. The promoter adds “Bling not your thing? Let’s get Back to Basics then with only the essentials – professional chip timing and Athletics NI Certified distances. Truth is the entry cost of races are rising every year. Well here at Gaithouse we thought we’d put a stop to that with our Back to Basics Series.” Priced at £8 for Affiliated Runners (A) & £10 Unaffiliated Runners (U) for 5K, £9(A)  & £11 (U) for 10K, “What’s not to like?” Though there was a £2 surcharge for on the day entries!

GOOD TURNOUT

The idea certainly seemed to have struck a chord with runners throughout NI as there was a good geographic spread of entries from clubs from Newry to Ballymena to Finn Valley, though most were from Belfast and the surrounding area. There were 80 runners in the 5K race and 44 in the 10K. East Down AC was represented by Lauren 19.01 and Sharon Madine 21.40 who placed 2^nd and 8^th Female respectively. Good results and overall good turn outs for what apparently were very well organised events.

SO WHAT ELSE IS IN STORE?

The organisers also claim that “At Gaithouse Events we love Road Runners too! We won’t let the rising challenges and cost of regulations put us off so stay tuned for some super races on the road coming next year. If bling is your thing, our road events won’t disappoint.” We wish them well in their efforts though it remains to be seen how well they can deliver on these apparently contradictory “bling” statements.

BARRIE SCORES AT RAVENSDALE DUATHLON

Barrie Atkinson clearly enjoyed the duathlon format of run-bike-run last week as he headed off again on Sunday for another one. This was hosted by Setanta Triathlon Club, Dundalk, and attended by a hardy bunch somewhat depleted by the threat of storm Jorge. Those that took part had a battle with the wind and freezing hands on the bike course were a real issue. They only warmed up marginally on the second run. Barrie was pleased to come 12th out of the 75 stalwarts and even more delighted to pocket his first winnings as he was first home in the 40-49 age group. Barrie will be pacing at Jimmy’s 10K and will be a great encourager to those wishing to break 40 minutes in the race.

ON TO THE ROADS!!

Good Luck to all our juniors who proceed to the All Ireland’s but for the most that is a wrap on the Cross Country scene and we can look forward to Jimmy’s 10 for a run on the roads. 2 weeks to go to race day on Sunday March 15th at 10.30amd and with better weather on the horizon, it has been a busy weekend on the entry portal. There are still places available in the 10K but the Relay is filling up fast with only 15 slots left as we go to press. The online entry for both closes on Wednesday 11th March at noon unless the quota is reached before that. Remember only the first 800 of entrants will get one of the prized 2020 t-shirts so don’t miss out!

https://athleticsni.org/Fixtures/Jimmys-Ten-2020 or contact 07825 314079 for information.

 

 

Joe Quinn & Alison Carroll