McCONNELL SHIELD CROSS COUNTRY

CATHERINE LEADS THE CHARGE

With the wave of enthusiasm both before and after the Bobby Rea Cross Country a few weeks back, it was no surprise that East Down AC had a healthy number of runners eager to get back out on the grass for another race. This time it was off to Six Mile Water Park in Ballyclare for the event hosted by East Antrim Harriers. As per the norm the ladies went first and as usual they ran a shorter distance than the men. This is a matter of hot debate at the highest level as to whether it should be one distance for all genders but at grass roots, I suspect most females are secretly smug that they can get away with a lap or two fewer. The course at Ballyclare is quite accessible to all as it is not that hilly in fact it is flat apart from a sharp rise at one end of the loop. It is also not that technical so while this could be seen as an easy run, it just means that the pace is quicker overall. Catherine O’Connor was in fine form and led the EDAC ladies in style. Her aim was top ten and she managed that with ease coming 8th in 19.29 for the 3 miles. She also got the prize for first 035 as a further boost to her confidence. Leanne Spick who has only recently joined the club is a competent runner and game for anything so, new spikes purchased, she turned up to see what was what. She was second EDAC lady home 49th overall in 23.12. It is fair to say she looked right at home and will likely make further improvement now that she knows the drill. Nuala Taylor coaxed into racing by her husband John who wanted her to know how much he had suffered at Comber, couldn’t see what the fuss was about as she flew round in 23.37 (53rd). Wayne Giles gets a bit of teasing for being in the ladies’ race due to being over 60 but he takes it in good part. He has even volunteered to shave his legs to help him blend in for the team photo! He was 59th overall (24.36).  Maureen Kelly was full of beans and went off like the clappers but soon realised that she would be better setting her own pace rather than getting sucked into the speed of others. She sensibly slowed and found a more sustainable rhythm completing in 25.09 in 62nd place. Janine Murray has been running well but with a heavy cold and a hamstring niggle, this is one race she is happy to have behind her. She placed 71st in 25.58. Alison Carroll in contrast said that this was possibly her most enjoyable cross country race ever and she was well pleased with her time of 26.08. Sam Anderson going from marathon distance to this shorter effort was afraid of being last but she was far from it and has even signed up for the next event in 2 weeks time. Her time of 33.05 earned her 86th slot.

GORDY MAKES TOP TEN

With the ladies done and dusted, the men swarmed to the start area. They There were 10 EDAC representatives, a mix of the experienced and the first timers ready for the 5 lap (5 mile) race. Gordy Graham prefers the feel of tarmac when he is racing, but he aways commits to whatever challenge is set before him. He like Catherine was aiming for a top ten and by virtue of targeting runners ahead,  he manoeuvred himself into a good position but had to sprint right to the line to hold his 10th place. He recorded 28.21 which is speedy for an off road run. Mackenzie Murray is 17 but with no junior category for this age, he decided to join in the men’s senior team and he proved a useful addition. He found the distance long and at one stage was doubting his ability to stay with the pace but he hung in and even passed more runners to finish 36th overall in a time of 31.19. Martin Willcox loves cross country as does Dee Murray and as old hands they know that pacing is key. They went lap after lap never showing the strain and finished in 32.07 and 32.59 respectively, 44th and 52nd.  Right behind Dee was Jonny Holmes. This week he was notified that he has been selected as reserve for the O35 NI Team in the North South Masters XC Challenge to be held this weekend in Belfast so this was a good chance for some last minute practice. He ran strongly finishing 53rd in 33.09 and we wish him well for Saturday. Carl Keenan after spectating at Comber thought that he might enjoy trying cross country for a change and he was right. Carl loved the feel of the grass beneath his feet as well as being part of the EDAC team and ran a steady race coming 86th in 38.22. Eamon Kelly who said he wouldn’t be back after Comber, had a change of heart as did John Taylor. It looked like these two plus Patrick Smith were having a ball judging by the smiles as they passed or perhaps we misinterpreted their grimaces. Spurred on by the shouts of club mates, they battled to the end and all three made the top 100. Eamon was 88th (38.20), John 97th (40.37) and Patrick 99th in 43.15. With banana bread and chocolate on hand to revive them, the mood at the finish line was buoyant and the whole EDAC contingent went home satisfied with having made good use of the day.

MINNOWBURN 5K

The Born 2 Run team are excited to be back in business after the long layoff during the pandemic and they welcomed back the runners with open arms to the first event of 6 in the “Winter RUN FOREST RUN” Series namely the Minnowburn 5 and 10K. Both distances started at the Mary Peters Track and then headed off into the forest and then along the towpath. There were over 500 in the 10K and 150 in the 5K. East Down had 2 runners both doing the 5K, Sharon Madine and Rachel Madine (no relation). Despite her birthday celebrations the night before, Sharon looked fresh as she set off with the lead pack and she was more than able to stick with the pace throughout. While she didn’t particularly relish the hill at the start or the climb to the finish, she appreciated the scenery en route.  Her efforts placed her third Female at the finish and it is worth noting that her time of 22.28 was only a few seconds off second place. Rachel equally enjoyed both the route and the race and was pleased to come well up the field in 82nd place (32.22). For Rachel though this was only part one of her weekend commitments!

BALLYNAHINCH – RUN TO REMEMBER 2021

The annual event organised by Atlas Running on behalf of the Ballynahinch British Legion took place on Sunday morning with a 5K route along the back roads of the town. Even though she had already raced the day before, Rachel Madine felt that she couldn’t let this race go by without taking part as it is right on her doorstep. In fact she could be considered a regular as this is her third time entering. The 130 odd runners who turned up were delighted to be greeted with pleasant, bright weather as last year they had to endure torrential rain and high winds. Despite the hilly course, the race was won in a speedy 17.28 by Lawrence O’Hara of North Belfast. Rachel finished 89th in a time of 35.13. A good weekend’s work for her!