NI & ULSTER EVEN AGE GROUP CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Following on from Comber where the mud was the prevailing memory, the Juniors travelled to Greenmount Campus in Antrim for the Evens Age Group XC to find a totally different scene. On a day that was bright and dry, the runners were treated to both better weather and kinder conditions. That is not to say the racing was not tough as this being an NI & Ulster Championship event meant that all comers were here to test themselves and hopefully get a slot for the All Ireland’s on 23rd November either as an individual (coming top 12) or as a team (coming in the top 4 teams) or as part of County selection (coming in the top 10 of a county who qualify). So  there was lots to play for and EDAC juniors as always were determined to be in the mix and gave it their best shot with the following results.

Boys U10 Jarleth Kearney 23rd, William Taylor 53rd (54 runners)

Girls U10 Caragh Moore 36th (38 runners)

Boys U12 Alex Robinson 55th, Aaron Lennon 59th, Matthew Taylor 86th (94 runners)

Girls U12 Erin Moore 55th (100 runners)

Boys  U14 Oliver Robinson 39th (75 runners)

Girls U 14 Anna Gardiner 2nd, Emily 31st, Kara Trainor 34th, Anna Kearney 70th (74 runners)

Boys U16 MacKenzie Murray 24th (64 runners)

Girls U16 Lauren Madine 3rd (65 runners)

MEDALS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Big congratulations to Anna and Lauren on getting a prestigious Ulster Championship medal as well as qualifying as an individual for the All Ireland’s.

The club was also delighted to find that the U14 Girls of Anna Gardiner, Emily Burns, Kara Trainor and Anna Kearney go forward as 4th qualifying team. There was more good news when all the sums were done as Alex Robinson, Aaron Lennon, Matthew Taylor, Ollie Robinson and Mackenzie Murray will also get to race at the All Ireland’s by being part of a qualifying County Down Team in their respective age groups. It was a good day out for the Club and thanks go to coaches and parents for the smooth handling of the necessary logistics. Well done all!

DUBLIN MARATHON

It dawned bright and very sunny on Sunday morning as we prepared for the journey to Dublin for the 40^th running of the Dublin City Marathon,  now a world class event, in terms of numbers and rapidly approaching those levels in terms of the quality of the elite fields it now attracts.  It is however sad to report that the overall winner, Moroccan Othmane El Gourmi has just returned to competition following a 2 year ban imposed in 2016 for irregularities in his biological passport.   His inclusion in the field raises questions about the integrity of the event,  not least because he set a new race record time of 2.08 which will mean that his name and the ban will be mentioned every time the time is discussed.

SPECTATING AND ALL THAT

We were of course well rested courtesy of the time changes which gave us an extra hour in bed, though the “hunches” displayed by a couple of cyclists we met near Newry at around 8.00am was certainly evidence that there was a cool edge to the temperature. Ideal running weather as it turned out with calm conditions throughout, a bright sun but just the nip of frost to keep everyone on their toes. We made it to our usual vantage point, just as the thousands of runners began to appear, some 8 – 10 minutes after the leading clusters of elite runners had passed. It is really exciting watching hundreds of runners approaching at speed as they all pursue their own dreams, whether in terms of their finishing time or just to stay ahead of an old foe or, more likely, later in the day, just to finish.  It also becomes quite scary as a veritable wall of runners the full width of the street descends the fairly steep hill in front of you and then have to be directed to bottleneck into half that width in order to keep to the course,  avoid tripping on the  traffic island, running into the bollard or, most importantly, Me, standing right in the middle of the road waving frantically for the runners to keep left.

And you think you’ve got problems out there running!? Afterwards we headed for Ballsbridge and the 25 mile mark, and we succeeded in getting parked within 50 metres of the route, complete with folding chair, expertly carried and erected by my extremely helpful and attentive companion for the day the lovely Brian Hamilton.

HARD WORK ALL DONE

After many weeks of preparation with weekly long runs and then anxieties over niggles, coughs and other potential hazards the date finally arrived when the marathoners could put all their hard work into practice. A marathon is a test of endurance both mentally and physically and all our club members passed the “test” with flying colours as they all made it “home”. There were those who achieved PBs and those who suffered mishaps which meant that they had to revert to plan B. There were those who were first timers and those who have done so many marathons that they are almost blasé. The times tell one story but the personal experience of each on the day can make the numbers almost irrelevant. All the runners were bowled over by the atmosphere and the delights of running in such a mass of participants. The weather was nigh perfect and the course was scenic. One for the bucket list by all accounts.

DEE AND DEIRDRE FIRST HOME FOR EDAC

The first EDAC male home was Dee Murray who had to lay off for a while in training with niggles but with a strong base fitness was able to get in good enough shape for a more than decent 3.02 on the day. Much as he would have liked a sub 3 hour time as per his PB he found himself totally drained from mile 21 and was grateful to finish in more or less one piece. On the female side, Deirdre Weatherall was tipped for big things as her approach to training and competition is exceptionally committed and determined. It was fantastic to see her achieve her goal and more with a superb time of 3.20. She executed the plan with precision and never really had a bad moment enjoying the run from the moment the gun went and nerves were no longer an issue. She insists that she is leaving marathons aside for now but London 2021 will surely be on the cards.

FROM THE BIG APPLE TO DUBLIN

2nd EDAC male Gareth Kelly ran a confident and highly commendable 3.16. Tony O’Connor is new to the club but ran 3.27 which was slightly unexpected as he was only taking up the challenge as a way to raise much needed funds for PIPS and discovered that he was actually fitter than he thought! As mentioned last week, Cheryl Denvir too often doubts her abilities but should take confidence from this latest event.  She has to be clever in her training as night duties cut into her spare time so she was “over the moon” to run 3.32. Gavin Hynds who is the much appreciated training buddy of Deirdre ran 3.36 and was happy enough with that result. He was more pleased with the fact that his sister Helen Carbin who had travelled from New York to take part managed to cross the finish line in great spirits. Poor Helen had come over for this race last year but injury defeated her and she wasn’t even able to run one mile let alone 26.2. What a difference a year makes. Well done to the Hynds family!

KEVIN LEARNS LESSON FROM BELFAST

The happy duo of Dermot Cahill and Phillip Vint ran a slick and synchronised 3.36, though Phillip suffered from his recurring calf injury from mile 16 onwards and had to walk bits from mile 18 onwards.  Patricia Galloway, always looked comfortable and clearly enjoyed herself, finishing in an impressive 3.43. These three make it look almost easy even when it’s not! Kevin Kelly who suffered badly in Belfast Marathon put that ghost to bed with a time of 3.55 which was a 40 minute improvement from May and a 6 minute cut from his previous PB set in Dublin 2018. He paced it well and when the dreaded cramp struck at mile 22, he managed to work through it with enough in the bag to secure a sub 4 with a good margin.

FIRST TIMERS

In just behind Kevin Kelly was Nuala Taylor, one of the debutantes at this distance. She had been plagued with achilles problems but was adamant that she was going to at least start the race. She did extremely well to stay on target, making her first attempt a sub 4 hour marathon in 3.56 and always looked happy. The other 2 first timers – Nuala’s husband John Taylor and Ladies’ Captain Janine Murray had mixed fortunes with various niggles and tummy issues but despite this they both made the finish line. No DNFs in this camp! John’s time of 4.16 is not to be sniffed at despite some initial disappointment on his part and Janine’s 4.40 may have been slower than she had trained for but despite being a first timer she has watched enough marathons to know that anything can happen on the day. The support along the way seems to have been a source of inspiration with Janine reporting “goosebumps in the final mile”.  John could well be seen having another go at this despite Nuala saying that for her the box is ticked. Janine has also said that once is enough. Watch this space however as all 3 could be seen on an entry list in a future marathon if the addiction has kicked in.

CLARE AND PAT MAKE THE PERFECT NEIGHBOURS

Clare Carson was another sub 4 hours (3.59). This was by no means a PB, but considering the nausea that kicked in during the latter miles she was gratified to get under the barrier. She had the good fortune to fall into the company of the indomitable Pat Shields of Murlough AC, our nearest neighbouring club. Pat is a long time ally of EDAC and a kindly soul. Just the sort of person you need when you are suffering and she and Clare formed an allegiance and jollied each other from mile 23 to the end. Good neighbours make good friends.

LONELINESS OF THE LONG DISTANCE RUNNER

Joanne Carson had to plough a lonely furrow when many of her usual marathon chums elected not to go to Dublin but she was well supported in training by the gang and she paid tribute to them for getting her through the schedule by running the long runs with her in the lead up. She did them and herself proud with a 4.24 finish and thoroughly enjoyed the run itself. Gavin McConvey has declared that 2 marathons is plenty but if that is true he ends his marathon career with a PB as he took over 14 minutes off his first attempt with a time of 4.52.

TRACEY TAKES THE HONOURS THIS TIME

Declan Teague is a multi marathoner but on this occasion it was his wife Tracey who took centre stage. She was running to fundraise on behalf of the Alzheimers’ Society. Declan having started the marathon with a niggle decided that supporting Tracey would be much more worthwhile so he pulled up in Phoenix Park to await the arrival of Tracey who started in a later wave. They then ran together from mile 6! She deserves great credit both for running her first marathon in 4.52 and for the sum of £1600 which has been collected by her as a result. She also deserves credit for staying with Declan for the final 16 miles and afterwards. Amazing what folk can do when they put their mind to it.

WHAT’S NEXT

Now that the marathon is out of the way local runners can relax and perhaps concentrate on something shorter with an aim to injecting some speed. The Co Down 5K on Sunday 17th November could well be the answer. There is also the upcoming Seeley Cup on November 30th. One that sells out so get your entry in!

Joe Quinn, Alison Carroll & Marguerite Robinson (with the juniors)

29 October 2019