CRAWFORDSBURN 5K TRAIL RACE
On Wednesday last, in the serene setting of Crawfordsburn Country Park, a remarkable family duel took place. Not I should add with daggers drawn or pistols at dawn, or swords set aside for mortal combat. No, this one as much more sophisticated than that and involved the father and daughter couple, Davy and Kirsti Foster, who set out to establish bragging rights over the 5K distance. It must be said that although Dad won on this particular occasion, Kirsti’s time of 20.33 for 25th place overall, was only one minute
behind her Dad who clocked 19.33 for 14th place and so could to a large extent claim a moral victory! In fact given that her time was good enough also to win the 1st Female trophy in the race I reckon she has earned the right to have breakfast in bed every day next week. So be nice to Kirsti, Davy, she looks on course to finish ahead of you very soon.
NEIL A MAGNIFICENT 2ND IN SEVEN SEVENS
Neil Andrews has been knocking on the door of success for some time over the past 2 seasons and on Saturday he came within a whisker of taking the Seven Sevens title, just losing out to Newcastle’s David Hicks in a closely contested battle through the Mournes. The 19 miles long route starting with a lap of the football field, and ending with another lap, at Shimna College taking in the summits of Slieve Donard, Slieve Commedagh, Slieve Lamagan, Slieve Binnian, Meelbeg, Meelmore and Slieve Bearnagh which amounts to 8700ft of climbing, is no picnic and so everyone completing is a hero in my eyes. Andrews started well and was in the top 3 at the summit of Donard and retained this position until they reached Meelbeg when old rival David Hicks made his move. Unfortunately Neil was starting to cramp at this particular stage but nevertheless he hung on gallantly to take a richly deserved 2nd place in 4.13, with Hicks taking the top place in 4.08. Word has it that the most difficult bit of the race was the final lap of the football pitch!!
East Down’s other mountaineer, Niall Gibney, ran tremendously well to take 22nd place in 5.14.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Carlingford was the venue for the annual high quality 5K which saw Gordy Graham take an excellent 34th place in 16.30 with Liam Keenan, a regular competitor at this venue, taking 3rd place in the Over 55 category, timed at 19.30. East Down’s only other male runner at this event was Adam Morgan who ran his usual composed race to take 9th place in the Under 19 Boys category in 25.30. Meanwhile Catherine O’ Connor was cruising to 4th Female place in 17.58.
Congratulations to all concerned.
SATURDAY MORNING
It took a monumental effort by club coach Peter Morgan to get Club representation to the Antrim Forum for the NI and Ulster Age group Relay Championships on Saturday and he had his squad of young ladies up and on the road early to head off. He should be well pleased with his efforts as 16 girls in total took part, 2 teams in each of the Under 13 and the Under 15 Races. The under 13 Girls team of Anna Gardiner, Anna Kearney, Lauren Madine and Lucy Foster were the most successful of the squad, taking a deserved 3rd place and picking up Bronze medals. This was very much a learning experience for most of these girls and will stand them in good stead for the future. All said that they had enjoyed their day out.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON – PERSEVERANCE PAYS OFF
Not to be outdone by husband or children, Joanne Foster took to the trails in a new venue on Saturday, when she not only competed in the Half Marathon in Mount Stewart but was placed 3rd Female finisher in a time of 1.34. And this after a mental battle with herself to keep going after what she described as a tough opening lap. However, keep going she did and was rewarded with a podium place.
DELAMONT
On the same day but in the equally pleasant surroundings of Delamont Park, Paul Lloyd and Callum Kent were making their names around what was described as “the new course”, though I have no doubt that there were hills in it, which thankfully was nothing to do with me! Both ran the 5K and Paul was 2nd Male finisher in 21.39 and Callum was placed 4th overall in 24.49. The times reflect the difficulty of the course as does the winning time of 42.20 in the 10K race by Karen Wilton, a regular sub 40 minute runner at the distance.
So well done to all who took part in any event over the past week.
NEIL GETS THE CALL
I’m, delighted to announce that one of our top runners, Neil McCartan, has been called into the NI squad to contest the 1500 metres in the Manchester International on 15 August. Congratulations to him and Best Wishes from all at East Down for his debut. Neil has been travelling back and forth from Crossgar to take part in the British League track season fixtures, throughout England, and his club are on the verge of wining promotion into the Premier League next year, depending on Saturday’s results.
Joe Quinn & Alison Carroll
6 August 2018