NORTH DOWN AC TRACK MEETING
At the first North Down AC track meeting of the year held at the Bangor Sportsplex, last Thursday night, a few EDAC junior athletes put their toe to the line. As the races are run as time trials and athletes enter in mixed age categories, the results are not easily reported but suffice to say it was a useful exercise for those who attended in terms of trying various distances and getting the feel of the track. The following took part; Iona Bunbury and Lauren Madine both did long jump and 150m. Lauren also ran the 600m as did Kirsti Foster, Lucy Foster and Edie Carroll. Laura Gardiner on a visit home from university gave the 3k a go. It was a cold night and breezy to boot so here’s hoping that the temperatures rise a bit before the first of the series at Mary Peter’s Track next Thursday.
OMAGH HALF MARATHON
Dermot Cahill returned to Omagh last Saturday the scene of his previous pb for the Half Marathon distance and despite it not being the most user friendly route in the calendar, he improved his pb by over one minute his 1.29.27 comparing very well the with his 2017 time of 1.30 28.
There was a new pb 1.55.01also for the only other East Down AC athlete to take part, Carmel Tumelty, who week in week out, continues to chisel away at those times and gets her just rewards for her relaxed, unflappable attitude to running. She always enjoys it and has a smile for everyone. Well Done Carmel
Carmel Tumelty – Omagh Half Marathon
Pictured Dermot Cahill EDAC and Gerard McAuley, Newcastle & District after Saturday’s Omagh Half Marathon showing how international peace is always possible.!!
Chris Smith also ran in this event clocking a respectable 1.45. This is an achievement after his recurrent niggles. His son Aaron who has recently rejoined EDAC ranks gave it a go too. Somewhat of a challenge with lack of preparation but it is obvious that he is going to throw himself into club membership with enthusiasm! Good to see.
PARIS MARATHON
Clare Carson, Kevin Kelly and Stephen Heasley all flew the EDAC flag in the Paris marathon this weekend. Clare discovered that the EDAC colours mimic the Spanish Flag and hence she got more support than she might expected which was a welcome surprise indeed. The route takes in many iconic sights and the atmosphere was uplifting according to the feedback. The warm weather that the rest of us are jealously craving was declared a little warm for running but they all finished in one piece albeit with slower recorded times than they might have initially targeted. However given that marathon training is a long and weary road and each in turn had time out with injury they did well to persevere and get the job done. It appears that they would all recommend this event to anyone thinking of an away marathon in the future.
Stephen Heasley, Clare Carson and Kevin Kelly – Paris Marathon April 8th
CASTLEWELLAN SPRING LAKES CHALLENGE
At the Castlewellan Spring Lakes Challenge hosted by Castlewellan GAA on Sunday a couple of our younger members Matthew Taylor (30th out of 77) and William Taylor (57th) romped round the 5k loop in perfect Spring like conditions. Mum and dad, John and Nuala did the 10k and declared it a pleasant route. Well done the Family Taylor!
TITANIC QUARTER 10K
Sunday morning was a beautiful one for running and almost 1000 men and women gathered in the Titanic Quarter for the annual 10K road race. Stephen Scullion, representing Clonliffe Harriers, was undoubtedly the class act in the race and by the time he passed my marshalling point at around 7K he was well clear of the field, led by Chris Madden, City of Lisburn with Mark Long City of Derry Spartans in third. This order was maintained until the end, with Scullion crossing the finish line in 30.29, almost one minute ahead of Madden.
LADIES RACE
The Ladies race was more competitive, for the minor placings as no one could hold a candle to Mourne Runners Laura Graham who won in 35.27, with North Belfast’s Gladys Ganiel 36.50 holding onto second place by a mere 7 seconds from North Down’s fast finishing Rachel Gibson.
EAST DOWN AT TITANIC
The first of the East Down vests to cross the line was worn by Mark Milligan, who clocked 35.51 to claim 25th place overall.
The next East Down runner to appear was Davy Foster 38.24 in 56th place followed by Paul Burns 39.06 in 66th place and Joanne Foster 41.41 looking in great shape and taking an excellent 125th place overall.
Mark O’Connor 44.13 and 156th went past complaining about someone having forced him to eat too many chocolate Easter eggs, a complaint too many of us seem to suffer from at this time of year, and Tracey McCaughey 54.24 timed her run to perfection to claim 500th place.
Well Done to all who took part in any of the venues mentioned.
LIONS 3 LAKES 7K FUN RUN and 15K ROAD RACE
The Downpatrick Lions Club annual 3 Lakes races take place this year on Saturday 12th May beginning at 11.00am to raise funds for the Down’s Syndrome Association but additionally is hoping to help promote the needs of another charity, the Cure Parkinson’s Trust. It is aiming to attract a good turnout from local clubs. The races are promoted strongly by East Down Athletics Club and organised by Atlas Running. For more information please contact Adrian Daye on 07876560015, or alternatively via email: atlas@atlasrunning.co.uk
CURE PARKINSON’S TRUST
I have a particular interest in any attempts to raise funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust (CPT) and its primary aim of finding a cure for this particular illness so by way of me taking a greater interest in the Charity’s operations, I have agreed to become a sort of unofficial ambassador for the Trust in NI. As the 3 Lakes event this year will be my first official duty in this capacity, though whether “official” and “duty” are appropriate words to use in the context of the “unofficial, ambassadorial” nature of the role I don’t know. Anyway be that as it may, I am opening a Just Giving page for any of my friends in the running fraternity, who may wish to support the races but are unable to get to them and indeed for anyone who wants to wish me well in this position or who has a soft spot for this particular charity.
Joe Quinn & Alison Carroll
9 April 2018