10 MILES FOR BARRIE

Last Sunday Barrie Atkinson made a last minute decision to travel to Trim for the popular 10 Mile Race. He was keen to take part in a longer distance run and the large entry of 1500+ runners was enticing. He set off to stay with the 70 minute pacer but found himself able to step up in pace and he eased on at his own rhythm. He finished in 1 hour and 5 minutes which placed him 171st. A good test of the legs.

NI CIVIL SERVICE CROSS COUNTRY AT STORMONT

Saturday 12th February was another chance for a run in the mud for a hardy band of EDAC runners. With a team of 6 women and 7 men and a good few cheerleaders, they arrived at the Stormont Estate ready to make their mark. The course was a long gradual pull up one side and then an undulating return down the other. There were a lot of twigs and sticks underfoot and the ground had softened up with the rain the night before so this made for a good testing cross country for all concerned. Catherine O’Connor had a strong, well paced run to come 7th out of 188 in the Women’s Race in 20.52. Leanne Spick was next in for EDAC in 23.23 showing that she is getting the hang of this discipline. Janine Murray and Maureen Kelly ran within sight of each other throughout with Janine coming in 77th and Maureen 79th in 25.34 and 25.44 respectively. Roisin Gaffney had a spirited finish to come 104th in 27.18. Aine Grant enjoyed this one more than her debut race and confessed to being almost disappointed that the cross country is drawing to a close. Even the most dubious can be converted in time!

THE MEN’S RACE

As the last females crossed the line, the men who gathered ready for the whistle. There were 188 in their race. Aaron McGrady was aiming for a decent race and achieved that coming 10th in 23.40. Martin Willcox and Dee Murray battled it out eventually coming in only 5 seconds apart. Marty was 66th and Dee 67th in 27.18 and 27.23. Adam Morgan was toughing it out further back and finished 137th (31.58) with Mark O’Connor on his heels in 32.03. That left Patrick and Donal Smith – neither big fans of cross country but always game to add to team numbers – to slug it out. With Donal still easing back in after a protracted injury layoff, he had little chance of holding on to his brother. While the glory went to Patrick, Donal was happy to finish unscathed. He was even more delighted to be in time to join in the EDAC picnic. Whether it was the running or the cake, the day was considered a success by all. Joe Quinn who had keenly watched each race summed it up well when he reported back that, “The craic was 90!”

LAST ONE STANDING

Stephen Heasley had entered Atlas Running’s Last One Standing event at Castle Ward as yet another personal challenge.  120 runners set out on loop one (4.2 miles) with an hour to complete. The idea is that provided you are on the start line in time, you go again. And again. Until you either can’t make it back in time, or you do make it back but decide that you don’t want to do any more. The premise is simple but knowing how it works doesn’t make it any easier. The route was hilly and muddy and the weather was not kind. Stephen gritted his teeth in his usual stoic fashion and stomped out lap after lap without complaint. As he finished his 10th circuit he was still within the cut off but he decided that he was done. 0ver 40 miles gives him another well earned tick in his tally of ultras – well done Stephen!

DYNAMIC DUO CLOCK UP THE MILES

Phillip and Helen Vint were delighted to be back at racing on Sunday. They took part in the East Antrim Marathon Series in an event at Mossley. Phillip completing his 78th Marathon showed his amazing consistency with 3.28 on a wet, cold day. It was mentally challenging as it was completed on laps just under 3 miles in length so there was a lot of repetition and counting to be done. Helen opted for the half marathon and was pleased with her time of 2.09. If the smiles in the picture are to be believed they thoroughly enjoyed the day.