British & Irish Masters Cross Country Championships 
East Down AC’s Martin Willcox and Catherine O’Connor were on international duties in Santry, Dublin at the weekend. As a result of their rankings at the Masters’ Trials in October they had been selected on to the NI & Ulster Team for the British & Irish Masters Cross Country Championships. Catherine O’Connor put in a great performance in the Women’s Race which was 4 x 1500m laps. The course was firm grass with a few muddy patches so it was a fast start. Catherine went out hard determined to give it a good go. This event is high level with an extremely competitive entry so she did well to stay at the front end of the race. She was 15th overall, 8th in the 35-39 category and first NI runner home by some 30 seconds. A great experience and hopefully to be repeated next year. 
Martin was in the Men’s Race which combined several categories, his being the 50-54 age group. The course was 2 x 1000m laps then 4 x 1500m laps so a good bit longer. Again the pace was quick off the start and Martin felt that he got a bit sucked in by those around him and as a result he suffered a bit mid race. In true Willcox style he rallied for the finish to add to the team points. He said that the event was well put together with a team dinner and photographs to mark the occasion and there was ample support for all the races.
Anna in great form
EDAC Junior Anna Gardiner was also racing at international level on the same day but at the British Cross Challenge in Milton Keynes. Based on her outstanding run at the NI & Ulster U18 Championships last month Anna Gardiner was selected to represent NI & Ulster as part of an U20 Team. Given that she is still only 16 this is a big honour for Anna but she was more than ready and willing to step up. The prestigious event attracts the best runners from England, Ireland Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all there to gain points for their teams. Anna had a superb run showing great confidence. She placed 13th in the U20 out of 35 entrants and was the lead runner in the NI Team. A very inspirational performance all round.
McGrady Financial Services Junior XC Series
On Sunday there was great excitement for the start of the McGrady Junior XC series which took place in Dromore. This 4-race series, kindly sponsored by McGrady Financial Services, offers inter-club competition to the junior athletes from Dromore AC, Newcastle AC, Murlough AC, East Down AC and Burren AC. For many it is a chance to experience cross country for the first time in a more relaxed environment. The weather, as it has been for the past month, was unseasonably warm and dry which was conducive to great running and enthusiastic supporting from club mates and friends. Post Covid there seems to be a great upsurge in running at all ages and EDAC fielded 36 runners, an increase of 18 compared to the same race last year. In total 114 juniors from P4 and under to year 11 and above took part.
The first race of the day was the Primary 4 and under. Although these juniors are not old enough to attend EDAC club training sessions, they were keen to take part as they have seen their siblings, who are active club members enjoy racing. Well done to Fiadh Kellett, Rosa Canavan and Rachel Mulhall who ran their hearts out. The races progressed quickly through the school year groups. Some races were run as separate girls’ and boys’ races due to the number of entries. The P7 Girls’ had the largest entry with 13 starters and 4 of those in the EDAC vest. It is great to see the camaraderie develop not only within their own clubs but also with their “rivals” from other clubs. The EDAC juniors who made podium are to be congratulated but every runner counts towards the overall tally, so no matter where they come in the race their participation is highly valued.
1st
• Alexander Robinson (year 10)
• Oliver Robinson (year 11 +)
2nd
• Fiadh Kellett (P4 & under)
• Mack Canavan (P5)
• Thomas Magee and Sarah Gilchrist (Yr 10)
• Rebekah Wilson (Yr 11+)
3rd
• Rosa Canavan (P4)
• Charlotte Mulhall (P6)
• Luke Napier (Yr 8)
• Jessica Martin (Yr 9)
• Eoin Rooney and Cara Napier (Yr 10)
• Jacob Crawford and Evie Cushnie (Yr 11+)
Winning Ways for the Robinsons
Alex Robinson got his win in a lead out that seemed to stretch out the longer he ran. His clear victory underlines his current good form. His brother Ollie also managed a first place but in very different circumstances. He was forced to work right to final metres by Ethan McMullan of Newcastle but he held his nerve and crossed the line with 4 seconds in hand. It will be interesting to see how the series plays out for all the athletes involved but one thing is for sure they will be motivated to train hard from now till the next time which Newcastle AC will host in the New Year.
More photos of the McGrady Race can be found at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAf1KH
Niall Partners up for an Adventure
Niall Gibney is always up for a challenge and last weekend he had his first go at adventure racing . Organised by Race Ireland teams of 2 had the choice of a 4hr sprint or 8hr endurance course with a combination of running, mountain biking, kayaking and orienteering around the magnificent Blue Stack mountains region of Donegal. Niall teamed up with Rostrevor based Newry triathlon club athlete Teresa Parr for the 8 hr course in order to “make the trip west worth while”. The aim of the race was to self navigate to mandatory check points with the option to pick up some bonus check points if time permitted. They were given a map at 8am with an hour to plan their attack before the whistle blew at 9am. The race started on the banks of Lough Eske at Harvey’s point hotel with a 4 mile looped trail run taking them back to the starting point . From here they switched disciplines to kayaking to paddle around four of the islands dotted on the southern aspect of Lough Eske. Whilst paddling they enjoyed dramatic views of the Bluestacks. Once ashore they took to mountain bikes for an off cycle to the next transition area picking off check points en route. From there they competed around 7 miles of running and hiking up two different mountains to collect 2 bonus points. For the last section it was back on the bike over bog roads, lanes, back roads and through forests to reach the finish line. Niall is hardy but he really struggled with cramp and general fatigue on the bike sections which totalled around 30 miles with over 3000 feet of climbing. They were relieved to make the the strict 8 hour time limit with a few minutes to spare and elated to find that they were 3rd overall in the Endurance Race. Given that this was their debut and they were up against very experienced adventure racers they have every right to be proud of their achievement.
Tollymore Marathon
Phillip Vint took on the 26 Extreme Tollymore Marathon only a matter of 2 weeks after Dublin Marathon. Needless to say he completed it in his usual steadfast fashion. He enjoyed the race despite the wind, rain, mud and lung busting climbs. He noted that this makes number 84 for him. An impressive tally that keeps growing. Well done Phillip
Rutland Night Run
Alice Brear Clarkson is another one who hates to miss the chance to race or try something new. She was at an event in Leicestershire – The Rutland Night 10km. This was a fun run out in the dark around Rutland Water, the largest reservoir in England. Alice had a good run out coming fifth out of over 950 runners and first lady home in 39:13. The fact that there was hot chocolate and mince pies may have spurred her on but she also got a nice wooden trophy to add to her collection.