REST WEEKEND FOR MOST OF EDAC RUNNERS
Not a lot to report on this week on the Seniors front as most of our runners were having a well earned break from competitive running following the excitement of last week’s Intermediate Championships and in anticipation of the final rounds in the Cross Country League. The season reaches its climax at Stormont next week where the Civil Service club stage the penultimate league fixture and culminates with the Senior Championships in Lurgan on 23rd February.
MOIRA X/C and BORN 2 RUN TRAIL RACES IN ANTRIM
The few who did venture into competition on Saturday certainly kept the East down name well to the fore. Maeve McNeill and Tom Dowey both appeared in Moira for the City of Lisburn Cross Country fixture and Lauren Madine travelled to Antrim to take part in the Belfast Telegraph Run Forest Run series in the Castle Gardens. She was 2nd female home in a time of 20.52 in the 5K race. Maeve was 11th in the Primary school race in Moira while Tom eased round the 5K route to take 15th place in the Masters category.
DISTRICT “A” SCHOOLS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
While the Seniors were contemplating taking it easy, a large number of EDAC junior athletes turned out to represent their schools in the District A XC Championships held at the Billy Neill Playing Fields in Comber on Wednesday. The forecast had been threatening snow at worst and cold, wet conditions at best so it was a pleasant surprise to find that the skies were clear and that there was little wind. It would be exaggerating to say that it was mild but it was certainly bearable and the runners were able to run in relative comfort. The course is hillier than most with long drags and a sharp uphill climb to reach the finish line – a challenge to the athletes which provided exciting racing for the spectators. It is hard to spot EDAC juniors when they run in school colours but they were certainly in the mix in many of the Age Groups. It was good to see so many of our juniors battling it out.
GETTING TO THE”ULSTERS”
Athletes must come in the first 15 of each age group to qualify for the Ulster Schools finals (the Ulsters) or be part of a team that comes in the top 3. It is fantastic that all the following made the cut – Oliver Robinson (10th Boy) and Anna Kearney (12th Girl) in the Minis (year 8), Kara Trainor(13th girl) in Minor (year 9), Mackenzie Murray (7th Boy) in Junior (year 10) and Edie Carroll (4th girl) in Senior (Year 13/14).
Special congratulations to those who made podium – Lauren Madine (1st), Lucy Foster (2nd) and Anna Gardiner (3rd), a clean sweep in the Minor Girls and Kirsti Foster (2nd) in Junior Girls. The Ulsters will be held in Mallusk in two weeks time.
Kirsti Foster after her race
Anna Gardiner, Lauren Madine, Kara Trainor and Lucy Foster – all EDAC but running for Assumtion Grammar, St Mary’s High and Down High School respectively
FLAHAVANS PORRIDGE PRIMARY SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY SERIES
Prior to the Post Primary events there was the final of the Flahavan’s Primary Race Series. A huge field of 152 runners took part in the Girls race and it was a tremendous achievement for Jodi Foster to come 3rd Girl overall. Well Done to her and all who did their schools, club and district proud.
So what’s on the menu to look forward to locally in the next few weeks of 2019?
ROLLERCOASTER RACES – 2 MARCH 2019
First off the blocks is the Rollercoaster Races which take place on the perimeter road around Downpatrick Racecourse on Saturday 2nd March 2019. With races for P3 to Age 15 years Boys and Girls, the entire day will be a celebration of Junior runners (with no Senior race this year) and will again feature goody bags provided by event sponsor Phoenix Natural Gas.
The P6/7 races feature the schools team competitions for the coveted John McKeag Shield for the Boys and the East Down Shield for the Girls over a 1,000 metres distance.
EVERYONE WELCOME to ULTRA SAFE SURROUNDINGS
Although entries will be taken on the day it is hoped that as many as possible of the schools taking part will send in their lists of competing pupils in advance, to facilitate the registration and ensure the programme begins promptly at 11.00am. Everyone from P3 upwards to Age 15 on the day are welcome, whether their school is sending a team or not. So come along and enjoy the freedom and safety of running on the totally traffic circuit!
JIMMY’S TEN – 17 MARCH 2019
Already the entries are approaching 700 for the St Patrick’s Day renewal of East Down AC’s flagship event in its 21st year and it promises to be the best ever, with continuing sponsorship from our Headline Sponsors M B McGrady and Co. Chartered Accountants, St Patrick’s Avenue, Downpatrick as well as a variety of other local businesses to be highlighted in the next few weeks. We are indebted to them all for their support.
The early bird fee of £15/17which was on offer until 31 January has been replaced by the higher rate of £17/£19 though it is still a bargain with a technical t-shirt (guaranteed for the first 800) as well as chip timing and top class post race refreshments. Runners are invited to get their entries in as soon as possible as places are limited. You have been warned! Chip timing will again be provided by Championchip Ireland and with top prizes a high quality field is expected to provide an excellent competition. Online entry is available at www.athleticsni.org. NO ENTRIES WILL BE TAKEN ON THE DAY.
Joe Quinn & Alison Carroll
4 February 2019