3 LAKES 7 and 15K RACES
The Saturday after the Belfast Marathon has become associated with the Downpatrick Lions 3 Lakes Challenge and usually warm, dry conditions. Saturday’s renewal was not a lot different except that while the sun made a welcome re-appearance, the air remained cool, sufficient to meet the needs of the runners but also to require the marshals and officials to keep reasonably well wrapped up.
A total of 114 runners, 63 in the 15K race and 51 in the 7K Fun Run plus some 29 walkers took on the Challenges this year. In spite of the number of competing events on the day, this was a reasonable turnout for the event which as raising money for the Lions nominated charity.
Many of those who turn up regularly do so because of the respect and admiration for the Lions and the sterling good work they do year on year. And of course they are treated to one of the most scenic on road routes in the whole of NI. Many in fact return every year purely because of this.
7K RESULTS
Of course the leading runners in both distances will admit to not taking time to admire the scenery, as they concentrate on their pace and maintaining their focus. Dromore ACs evergreen .Nigel Grier certainly could not have been accused of idling as he flew around the 7K roué in 26.39 ahead of Conor Preshaw, 27.40 with Neil Young taking 3rd place in 29.46.
Murlough AC made it a clean sweep in the Ladies run with Lorna Chambers 1st in 31.07, Julie George 2nd in 32.19 and Leah Calvert 3rd in 33.30. Well done to them.
15K RESULTS
The longer race over 15 K attracted a larger entry but the result was never in doubt as North Belfast’s Gareth Lyons took the lead from the start and was never headed , running out the winner in 52.44, with Newcastle’s AC Thomas O’Gorman 55.47 in second ahead of Lagan Valley’s Brian Young in 3rd place. The next 3 places were taken up by East Down runners , Martin Willcox in 4th Phillip Vint in 5th and Dermot Cahill in 6th.
Phillip Vint and Dermot Cahill sport the new EDAC vests at 3 Lakes 15k
Kieran McMahon was next EDAC runner in 74.54, followed by another trio of his clubmates Michael Robinson, Eamon Kelly and Raymond Milligan. Gavin McConvey did well to complete in 84.33 while Sean Sealey, ever the gentleman, accompanied Helen Vint the only EDAC Female to take on the longer distance, across the line in 87.13.
Kieran McMahon at the 3 Lakes
First of the Women back was North Down’s Roberta Dornan 68.02, with Denise Doherty 72.47 all the way from Ballymena in second and Sharon Glover completing the podium places.
THE UPS AND DOWNS OF MOUNTAIN RUNNING
Slieve Donard Race – This event starts in Newcastle on Main Street and consists of an ascent and descent of Slieve Donard with the finish in the playing fields by the pavilion in Donard Park all of which sounds like it should be a full day out but which is in fact completed in a staggeringly short time by the front runners. Up is tough and down is a free fall and often most gains are made by those who can descend without fear and without incident. There are also set checkpoints to ensure that no one knowingly cuts the course but there are also sections where the athletes can choose their own route and where local knowledge is more than useful.
LYNCH IN FINE FORM
Seamus Lynch of Newcastle AC was home first and broke the hour with apparent ease in a time of 56.50 meaning that his ascent was quicker than many of the follow on descent times. Gavin Hynds had a purple patch day coming 22nd overall in a time of 1.10.28. If he hadn’t managed to fall in a sink hole and get his new vest covered in mud it would have been the perfect day in the mountains for him!
Gavin Hynds enjoying the thrill of the descent
This position marks his card as a “decent” mountain runner for sure! Niall Gibney was 40th taking roughly 5 more minutes.
Niall Gibney concentrating in the Slieve Donard Race
In each case their descent was roughly half of their ascent time which indicates the speed at which they flung themselves off the top. Dee Murray was next EDAC runner in 56th place in 1.18.
Dee Murray looking relaxed as he ascends Donard
Lisa Milligan and John Manley reached the summit more or less together and then Lisa sneaked a few seconds advantage on the drop down coming in 124th to John’s 126th place – 1.38.29 to his 1.38.59.
John Manley on the way in at Slieve Donard
Paddy McDonald was in 140th and Tom Dowey in 144th within a minute of each other – 1.45.15 and 1.45.59 and both pleased to return unscathed. It was a glorious day for spectators and the photos are worth viewing with the blue skies and the stunning backdrops of the mountains. One for the bucket list?
CARRICKFERGUS SEES ATHLETES “RUN WILD”
Another event that afforded great views was the “We Run Wild” inaugural event which offered a half marathon and a full marathon – the premise being that runners have to be self – sufficient in terms of nutrition, body cover and navigation. A booklet of instructions was handed out at the pre race brief and then it was up to each athlete to follow the instructions in order to get back to the finish by the correct route. Carrickfergus Castle was both start and finish and the course was mainly run on trails with views of Loughmorne Reservoir. The half had over 800 feet of climbing while the full distance included that and more. Hills and climbing were the order of the day.
ONLY EDAC WOMEN TURN OUT
Marguerite Robinson and Clare Carson both in recovery mode from last Sunday’s Belfast Marathon decided to run together and they covered the 13 odd miles in 2 hours and 12 minutes to place them joint 3rd females. Linda Cunningham also in recovery from her exploits in the Belfast Marathon, where she ran her fastest marathon in many years, decided nevertheless that a full marathon was doable and tackled the full distance with chum Oonagh Brétéché and sister Jacqueline Moore for company. She said that she thoroughly enjoyed the chance to run in scenic surroundings for the sheer pleasure of being out and it was an event that she would recommend to others. While Linda called it “running for fun” it was a challenging outing but seemed to be well organised and the food afterwards was hailed as another reason for signing up next year.
Clare Carson, Marguerite Robinson, Oonagh Breteche, Jacqueline Moore and Linda Cunningham in Carrickfergus for the “We run wild” event
SCHOOLS’ DISTRICT TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
As mentioned last week the Schools’ District Track and Field Championships have been ongoing with 3 days of competition at Mary Peters Track. On these days the athletes are representing their schools with the aim of qualifying for the Ulster Championships by coming in top 3 of their age group at a given event. While they are not running as EDAC, we still like to note the successes of our athletes as the club is proud of them no matter which vest they are wearing. Well done to all who took part over the 3 days of competition whether they qualified or not it will have been good experience. Ollie Robinson tried his hand at the 200m, the 800m and the Relay. Having come 2nd in his heat of the Mini Boys 800m, he missed podium in the final by 2 seconds coming 4th. Edie Carroll was also 4th in the Senior Girls 800m.
MEDALS GALORE
In the Minor Girls 800m Lauren Madine, Anna Gardiner and Lucy Foster took the race by the scruff of its neck moving into a lead bunch from the start. They went through 400m still closely knit and were looking at each other to see who would make the move. On the last bend Lauren moved out and up and sprinted for the line in a decisive move which left Anna to chase her down with Lucy Foster on her tail. It was a great sight and good that all 3 have secured qualification as well as getting Gold, Silver and Bronze in that order. Kirsti Foster followed suit in the Junior 800m easing out a significant lead in the first lap and then hammered home never under threat but chasing the clock to secure a new PB of 2.22. The Ulster Championships will take place at Antrim on Friday and Saturday the 17 and 18th May.
Lucy Foster (Down High) 3rd, Lauren Madine (St Mary’s) 1st and Anna Gardiner (Assumption) 2nd in Minor 800m
Kirsti Foster (Down High) heading for a PB in the Junior 800m
FOSTERS FOLLOW UP ON FRIDAY TO RUN A MILE WITH MARY
On Friday afternoon and evening there was a quite unique event held at Mary Peters Track. Under the title of Run A Mile With Mary, it gave people of every age and ability to come and take part in a series of timed races over the Mile distance i.e. 4 circuits of the MPT, and in most cases to meet the lovely lady herself. All the monies raised from entry fees would go to the Mary Peters Trust, which was established in 1975 to support talented young sportsmen and women, both able-bodied and disabled, from across Northern Ireland. The Trust helps aspiring young athletes realise their maximum potential by assisting them in both a financial and advisory capacity.
With Kirsti being away on her Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award camping weekend only Lily, Lucy, Kari and Jodi of the Foster family appeared at this event, ably supplemented by Alex Robinson to represent East Down.
ALEX LEADS THE WAY AND LUCY BREAKS 5.30!
In the Under 10 race Alex was superb coming home at the head of the field in an amazing 6.03.94, with Lily 2nd Girl to finish in 7.01.02. Remember these are under 10 year olds! In the under 12 race it was Kari’s turn to show her ability and her time of 6.08.78, 3rd Girl to finish, certainly displays tons of that.
Alex Robinson with Dame Mary Peters at the Run a Mile with Mary event
Then it was the predicted time trials, with the men and women who reckoned they would run the mile between 6 and 7 minutes, taking on the clock. Jodi duly took to the track like a duck to water and blitzed her way to an incredible 5.51.55, to comfortably finish as leading female, in a race in which 9 runners of the 18 runners ducked below 6 minutes. It would appear that many of our athletes are too modest in terms of recognising their ability.
Not so Lucy Foster though as she competed in the 5-6 minute predicted time trial and recorded the best time by an East down athlete on the night, clocking 5.28.28. A great night for all concerned, not least those of us who only went to watch. WELL DONE EVERYONE
NEIL IN FINE FORM IN WALES
Although Neil McCartan is one of EDAC’s own, he was running for his adopted club Harrow AC when he turned out in Swansea in the opening British Athletic League Meet of the season.(As a result of their team performances, including several top quality performances by Neil, Harrow secured promotion to the Premiership at the end of last season, thus raising the quality of the opposition that they face.)
Neil ran in the 3000m but was somewhat disappointed with his performance. BAL racing involves tactics rather than athletes looking for PBs and in this case Neil felt that he did not get to grips with the field or the race in the way he would have liked. He finished 6th (8.48) and will be looking ahead to his next race now that the season opener is out of the way. Good Luck in the racing to come!
Harrow with 293 points, are presently in 3rd place behind 2 of the best known clubs in British Athletics circles Birchfield Harriers on 349 points and Newham and Essex Beagles on 311.5 points. So the opposition is top class but rest assured that Neil will be striving with every muscle to help his club close the gap over the next 3 events.
BACKGROUND TO THE BRITISH ATHLETICS LEAGUE
The British Athletics League was launched in 1969 as a track and field competition featuring 38 teams from athletics clubs across five divisions, namely the Premiership and Divisions 1, 2, 3, and 4.and each division has four matches per season. Teams receive points according to their athletic performances, and those points are transformed in a range of 1 to 8 points for every match, according with the matches final table. The points are added after the four matches to determine relegations, promotions and champions.
PAUL HAS A FLYER AROUND THE RUNWAYS
Paul Lloyd was the lone EDAC athlete who was canny enough to book an entry in the popular “Run the Runways” before it sold out. He ran the 10K, hosted by Scrabo Striders which involved a lot of running round cones to make up the distance and he was delighted to record a PB of 39.23 – well worth the journey to Newtownards.
NEXT WEEK
It’s more local running next weekend again so no need to travel as the Knockevin Special School is the venue for their annual 10K Race and 5K Fun Run and Walk. Full details from Atlas Running www.atlasrunning.co.uk . Registration at Knockevin school from 9am till 10.30am on Saturday 18th with the race due to start at 11.00am
The entry fees for the 10K race – £14 affiliated; £16 unaffiliated.
