KIRSTI DIPS HER TOE IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS

East Down’s Kirsti Foster was in Santry on Saturday for the Schools International Athletic Board (SIAB) Cross Country having been selected to represent Ireland in the Junior Girls’ Team on the strength of her performance in the All Ireland Championships a few weeks ago. Schools from the home nations Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales fielded teams to score in Junior, Inter and Mixed Relay categories. The future of all home nations rests with these upcoming stars of the future. The very best of each home nation was on show.

Kirsti was 19^th home having moved up 2 places from her first lap placing and the 2^nd of the Irish Team overall to cross the line, just behind her Down High School mate Catherine Martin, to fully justify her selection.

Kirsti Foster in her Ireland vest at the SIAB Cross Country international in Santry on Saturday

LARNE HALF MARATHON

Saturday presented the usual conditions for the Larne Half Marathon. Described as warm and a bit blowy the sold out event did not disappoint as the first of the 2019 Novosco Half Marathon Series got off to a great start with a first win at this level for Acorns AC’s Vincent McKenna 69.04 and a welcome return to form of Laura Graham who took the title, having begun her comeback from a recent injury with a fine 2^nd place in Jimmy’s Ten last Sunday.

 EDAC LADIES

Clare Carson set a new PB 1.42.32 and Marguerite Robinson ducked under 2 hours to demonstrate her wellbeing having already ran 7 miles before the Half began in order to make it a 20 miler as she prepares for the London Marathon on 28 April. Niamh Kellett had another excellent run, clocking 1.28.24 and taking 3^rd place in the Female Over 35 category, while Carmel Tumelty 2.09.12 placed exactly in 1500^th position. There were 2000 entries.

Clare Carson, Kevin Kelly, Marguerite Robinson, Niamh Kellett, James Magennis

HATS OFF TO GORDY

Gordy Graham was the first EDAC man to finish the Half marathon in 1.15.48 which is a mere 10 secs outside his Pb for the distance and given that as he is training hard for the London marathon and doing a lot of miles with no taper for racing this was a very encouraging performance.  It is at this stage that athletes can sometimes start to wonder if their training schedule is right for them and a poor run can play havoc with the mind so it is good to put in a solid race day run to boost the confidence. I’d say that this was an incredible performance when you take into account that it’s only a month since he climbed Kilimanjaro. I have to say that until I saw the way this particular climb affected the Children In Need Charity celebrities who did it recently, I tended to think “Well it’s only a relatively high mountain and Gordy is a fit young man, so it shouldn’t  be any trouble”.  I have  a new born respect for him and everyone who undertook that particular trek. It is an absolute monster and I take my hat off to Gordy and everyone who has managed it. Running a marathon should be an absolute doddle after that?

James Magennis was happy with his 1.39 time as was Kevin Kelly with his 1.56, after an absence from recent competitive action.

DO YOU REMEMBER THE MARRAKESH EXPRESS?

A big Downpatrick welcome was accorded to Tommy Hughes of Termoneeny Running Club, who those of us who have been a fair while in the game will remember from days gone by as the man dubbed the Marrakesh Express after he won the marathon in Morocco in 1997, when he turned up last weekend in Downpatrick. The former Irish Olympian has long been promising to come and run Jimmy’s Ten and not only did he win the Over 55 prize on Sunday but also set a NEW Irish Male Over 55 record of 34.45 a day after breaking the Irish Male Over 55 half marathon record at the Washingbay Green where he recorded 73.40. Last week I wrote “Many Congratulations Tommy and long may you continue to keep the records tumbling”. So Lo! and behold as if to order he turned out again on Saturday in Larne and smashed his week old record for the half marathon with a fantastic time of 72.36. What an amazing athlete he is! Maturing extremely well with age!

Tommy Hughes No. 637 breaking records in Downptrick last Sunday in Jimmy’s Ten

WILL YOU MARSHAL IN BELFAST ON SUNDAY 5 MAY 2019?

The largest single participatory sporting event in Northern Ireland is set for a massive year of change with a brand new, flatter and faster route for marathon participants, a new marathon start location on the grounds of the iconic Stormont Estate and history will be made by moving the event to a Sunday for the first time ever…Sunday 5th May 2019.

EARN SOME MONEY FOR YOUR CLUB

Local volunteer agency Volunteer Now has joined with the Belfast City Marathon Office to deliver the event. “We would invite as many Churches, Community Groups and Athletics Clubs to get involved as possible this year and help us deliver a successful and enjoyable day for all involved”. Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon will donate £100 to each group and ONE free entry to the event of their choice (Marathon, Team Relay, 8 Mile Walk or Fun Run) if they provide between 6-10 volunteers for race day 5th May.

There are 26.2 miles worth of volunteer opportunities available to suit all! More detail here: https://bit.ly/2CbcMF2

If you are interested in providing a group of volunteers (6+ people) please contact the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon office on 028 9060 5933 or at info@belfastcitymarathon.org or contact the Volunteer Now Events Team on 028 9023 2020 if you wish to offer your services as an individual.

If you want to volunteer to be a member of an East Down team who could undertake to look after a specific section of the marathon route, then please contact me, Joe Quinn, on 07395814122 or by email jaykwin69@gmail.com . And don’t forget that the Club will benefit to the amount of £100 for every group of 6 – 10 volunteers provided.

Joe Quinn & Alison Carroll

25 March 2019