BRITISH MASTERS’ CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

The British Masters’ XC took place at Stormont Estate on Saturday. The attendance was slightly disappointing but with the Inter Counties on the same weekend it perhaps lost out. The only EDAC representation came in the form of Neil Curran who has developed an affinity with the mud and hills and wanted one last blast. He was 27th in the end out of 70 and was just over 2 minutes behind the winner. He will now turn his attention to the roads and hope that the XC participation will pay dividends as it often does.

ALL IRELAND SCHOOLS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

The All Ireland Schools’ XC finals took place in County Kildare – also on Saturday. Athletes competing in this event will have come in the top 15 in their district in order to progress to the Ulster Championships and from there they need a top 15 place again to get a slot so it really is a high standard field. Overlooking Clongowes Wood College, the course was completely flat, soft underfoot in areas with a straight finish. There was also a strong headwind in parts of the course.

LUCY AND ANNA IN MINOR GIRLS
The first race was the Minor Girls’ race, running over a 2k distance. Lucy Foster and Anna Gardiner running for their respective schools – Down High and Assumption Grammar School were in the mix throughout. Lucy ran exceptionally well to come in 12th place with Anna also putting in a good performance to come 14th.

KIRSTI TAKES 4^th PLACE IN JUNIOR GIRLS

In the Junior Girls’ 2.5K, Kirsti Foster had a fantastic race to take 4th position. She was also part of the silver medal winning Down High team. This result qualifies her for the Schools’ International XC race in which she will be representing Ireland coming up against teams from England, Scotland and Wales. Well done to all three and good luck to Kirsti!

SHANE’S CASTLE EXTRAVAGANZA

At Shane’s Castle on Saturday there was a festival of running with an ultra starting at 7am with runners completing 3 loops – a total distance of 39.3 miles, a marathon at 10am comprising 2 loops, a half marathon at 12 noon and even a 10k and 5K as the day went on. Declan Teague took his pick which was the marathon option and finished 7th out of 46 brave souls in 3.34.. Describing the conditions as “dry but windy overhead on exposed parts and muddy with plenty of puddles underfoot on the trail parts of the course” Declan at least fared better than his long distance friends who took on the East of Antrim Marathon Series latest test of endurance along the Antrim coast on Saturday.

It seems that the races were staged in almost constant rain/drizzle so all the more credit to the participants for keeping on right until the end. But that didn’t dampen the spirits of the remarkable McKermitt sisters, Linda Cunningham EDAC and Jackie Moore Murlough AC. Linda had completed the Lusk marathon just 2 weeks earlier and I missed her performance then. However she chose Saturday to run with Jackie to celebrate Jackie’s 65^th marathon, it was Linda’s 121^st!

Well done to all of them..

THE ADDICTION NI – RACE TO RECOVERY 10K

This event took place in the Ormeau Park on Sunday in wild wet conditions – on the lapped course, Niamh Kellett ran herself into top spot as first female home with a swift 40.08 and Gavin Hynds was also pleased with his time of 40.59. which gained him a 10K PB. Seamus Savage also made the journey and placed 96th out of a decent crowd of 193 runners in a time of 53.20.

SPUD RUN

Neil Andrews never chooses “easy” but he took it to the limits this time when he took part in the Spud Run Mountain race at Glenariffe hosted by the Glen Runners. He came 9th out of 116 and was less than 6 minutes off the Newcastle AC’s Seamus Lynch’s winning time.. Although the race was less than 10k it had an elevation of 370m and a dose of bad weather which necessitated carrying full body cover. Of course, as pictured, it only requires you to carry the extra clothing – any thought of actually putting it on is not a starter! Paddy McDonald also tested his nerve and his fitness and was rewarded with a creditable 90th position.

TWENTY YEARS OF JIMMY’S TEN

I wonder if this is the late Jimmy Murray’s view of JIMMY’S 10K?

Whether it is or not, and I hope it is, I’m sure he’s looking down on us all as Jimmy’s Ten weaves its magical spell through the streets and country roads, exactly 20 years on from the first race in honour of the great man, Jimmy Murray who sadly left us in July 1998. Over the years there have been many ups and downs in maintaining and hopefully, improving, the race until it has become one of the most sought after and eagerly awaited fixtures in the road racing calendar. Its list of winners, both Male and Female over the years reads like a Who’s Who of road racing’s biggest stars and this year’s event will be no different.

MALE FAVOURITES

Apart from our own local EDAC stars, Aaron McGrady, Gordy Graham and Neil Curran and the much hoped for return of Brendan Teer, last year’s winner Mark McKinstry who has been in tremendous form all year, Willowfield’s Neill Weir 2^nd last year and Slieve Gullion’s Paddy Hamilton who won the race 3 years ago will all ensure another terrific contest at the front. That is not taking into account any dark horses and there are always a few!

FEMALE STARS

In the women’s race, EDAC’s Catherine O’ Connor last year’s winner will be challenged by her clubmate Caroline McNabb  but will also have to deal with Newcastle’s Olympian Kerry O’ Flaherty, Mourne Runners Laura Graham both former winners and possibly City of Derry Spartans athlete Breege Connolly, who has represented Ireland in the Olympic Marathon and just posted a time of 74.49 for 9th place overall in a star studded field at the Big Half Event in London. A formidable field by any standards. It is little wonder that the race is a sell out with over 960 athletes signed up for the 10k and a Relay option beyond that with 44 teams of 2 taking part.

ARMY OF HELPERS

We would like to thank all the members and friends of members who have come forward to help plan and run the race this year. For some this has meant sacrificing their own participation and this is appreciated as always.

SPONSORSHIP ESSENTIAL

Of course such a high standard of event is a costly undertaking and offering a race that is accessible to all in terms of price requires the backing of outside agencies to share the load. EDAC have been very fortunate to benefit from the generosity of a number of local businesses ranging from those who provide expert services or essential goods free of charge to those who make a financial contribution. The Club would like to record their thanks to Translink, Asda, Plus2print, Wrap & Roll, Soaring Productions, McDonalds Downpatrick, Gordons Chemists, Athlos Triathlon, Bells Supervalu Crossgar and P. Gardiner Carpets some of whom have backed the Club and the race over a number of years and indeed to all who have supported the race over the past 20 years. The headline sponsor MB McGrady & Co are in the 10th year of association which is worth a special mention! Quite frankly without this level and variety of support there would not be a Jimmy’s Ten!

 

Joe Quinn & Alison Carroll

 

11 March 2019