JUNIORS SPOILT FOR CHOICE
The North Down AC (NDAC) Open Track Meet on Tuesday 9th April preceded the first Firmus Energy Fab 5 at the Mary Peters Track so the runners ready to start the outdoor track season were spoilt for choice. There was also an NDAC Minis Track Meet on Wednesday so there was something on offer for every age.
On Tuesday Lauren Madine did 2 events – 150m and 600m. She ran well in both (2nd place in her heat of 150m in 20.94) but a lightning fast finish in the 600m was worth seeing and saw her snatch the Gold. Tremendous result! Edie Carroll ran in the U20 600m which was combined with U17s and came 4th overall. Oliver Robinson spread his efforts over the High Jump, the Shot and the 150m (where he was first placed U13 in 21.97 ).
Alexander Robinson was the sole EDAC in the NDAC Minis. In a busy schedule he racked up 7th place from 13 entrants in the P6 80m and also took part in the 600m as well as the Long Jump where he recorded a 3.09m jump. Not a bad night’s work and plenty to take encouragement from.
FIRMUS ENERGY FAB 5 + DAVY
The Firmus Energy Fab 5 on the next night was well attended by EDAC across the events. In the U13 100m Anna Kearney placed 3rd in her heat and 6th overall over the 4 heats (30 athletes). In the U13 800m Emily Burns was 4th in 2.43 (a PB) and Anna Kearney in her second event of the night ran a 2.57. In the U15 100m Lauren Madine won her heat in 13.59 and was 4th overall out of 28. Anna Gardiner had a time of 15.59 in the same event. In the U15 800m Kirsti Foster ran 2.23.74 to come 2nd overall. Anna Gardiner was 4th (2.24) , Lauren Madine was 5th (2.29) and Lucy Foster was 7th (2.33) all based on times out of 2 heats and 26 athletes and it should be noted that all also recorded PBs based on last year’s performances. And just in case the youth section thought it was all about them Davy Foster entered the Men’s 1500m and ran it in 4.45. He is eyeing up the 800m at the next event as another outing having enjoyed the thrill of being in the mix on the track.
HILL & DALE 2019 ROUND 1
On the same night as the Juniors were at Mary Peters’ Track, Castlewellan was granted a perfect evening as the opening venue of the Hill and Dale Series hosted by Newcastle AC. Gavin Hynds has been counting the minutes till the start of the series and was rewarded with top dog position in the EDAC rankings when the results were posted. He came in 34th place followed by Niamh Kellett who managed to win the F35 category and then Stephen Heasley who discovered he still has legs for the mountains. Niall Gibney was next in 70th place – another EDAC runner who prefers the hills. Paddy McDonald was 170th and 174th was Brian Hamilton who secured the MV70 age win in some style! John Manley came not far behind these two. Seamus Savage had taken himself along out of curiosity and while he found it tough, he managed to finish intact and it is rumoured that he will give it another whirl at the next one. He may listen to Gavin Hynds’ counsel that while this is billed as an “easy” start on account of the route following trail rather than open mountain, it also means that the pace is quicker as most of it is runnable. It remains to be seen if this theory is valid! Lisa Milligan was pleased to reach the finish in under 50 minutes and Patricia Galloway running in the good company of her sister and other family members finished in 55 minutes – a good start to the campaign. The smiles in the photos may well tempt some others as the series progresses.
Gavin McConvey took himself off to Dundalk while the border is still soft, for a midweek 10K and his time of 52.21 granted him a PB for the 10k distance.
SATURDAY IN GLENARM
On Saturday Linda Cunningham, Joanne Carson and Marguerite Robinson travelled to Glenarm for the undulating Born2Run Half Marathon. It was definitely a test of courage with the blustery conditions in addition to the difficulty of the route. It is the sort of course that Linda loves so no complaints from her. Joanne clocked 2.06.43 and Marguerite did well to get under the 2 hours in 1.59 and 23 seconds. In the 5K Lauren Madine had her third outing of the week and showed that her form was good with a 2nd place. Sharon Madine (mother of Lauren) has recently signed up to the Club and so ran her first official EDAC race. Her 6th place shows that she will be a welcome addition to the Ladies’ section of the Club!
SUNDAY MORNING AT HOLYWOOD EXCHANGE
Sunday morning and the high winds were still in force but it didn’t stop Paul Lloyd rolling out another sub 40 10K (39.41) at the Subway 10K at Holywood Exchange., which placed him in 9th overall. This event was to raise awareness of MS and a percentage of the profits went to the MS Society which funds research into the disease. It also included a half marathon distance for those who fancied more of a challenge. Gavin Hynds was happy to stick with the 10K option which was an out and back course on Airport Road West and he finished in 40.45 in 13th place. Catherine Gilchrist took on the Half Marathon and while she found the wind a drag – literally – she was happy with her pacing and the way she handled the conditions. 1.55 is not a PB for her but more than respectable on a day like that.
SUNDAY MORNING IN CONNEARA (THON PLACE?)
If it was windy in Holywood on Sunday then it was stormy in Connemara, better described by the man who experienced it all first hand as ”horrible with strong winds and rain/drizzle throughout and with the 2nd half over the hills all into the wind”. Weather you wouldn’t put a dog out in as they say here, but if someone lays on a marathon it’s doggone difficult to ignore. So East Down’s man for all weathers, Declan Teague headed off to Connemara to take on the Marathon in the increasingly popular Connemarathon trio of races. In spite of the persistent “wind in your face” conditions Declan was pleased to finish the race in 3.31.44 which was good enough to secure 47th place in a field of 535.
WHAT’S COMING?
Downpatrick Lions Club annual 3 Lakes Challenge 15k and 7 km runs are back for their 6th year and will be held on Saturday 11th May 2019 from the Lakeside Inn, Drumcullen Rd. Downpatrick.
Registration will be at the Lakeside Inn from 9am to 10.45am on race day, with the 15km to start at 11am and the 7km at 11.10 am
Entry Fees:- 15K affiliated £18 Unaffiliated £20 and 7K affiliated £13 Unaffiliated £15.
Knockevin Special School hosts its annual 10K and Fun Run/Walk from its premises at 33 Racecourse Hill Downpatrick BT30 6PU on Saturday 18th May
Registration on race day from 9.00am to 10.30 am at the School
The Race Starts at 11.00am. Chip timed by Championchip Ireland with Medals for all finishers and Trophies 1st 2nd 3rd Male / Female and lots of Spot prizes.
Both of these very deserving and worthwhile events are organised by Atlas Running (the Daye Brothers)
Hope to see y’all there!
ANTHONY (TONY) KELLY RIP
It was with profound regret that we learned of the death of Anthony (Tony) Kelly, father of our esteemed friend and colleague Michael, the Results man, on 9th April. The Funeral Mass for Tony, who would have been 95 years old on Saturday 13th April, is today, Wednesday 17th April at 10.00am in St Comgall’s Church, Antrim and afterwards to Antrim Cemetery.. Deepest sympathy is extended by the Committee and members of East Down Athletics Club to Michael and his sisters and brothers and entire family circle at this very sad time.
Joe Quinn & Alison Carroll
15th April 2019