Saturday saw running clubs from across N Ireland descend on Victoria Park Belfast for the annual N Ireland Road relays, hosted by Victoria & Connswater AC . Teams of 4 take on this short but fast and furious race where each team member completes two laps of Victoria Park, each lap being just over a mile long. Conditions were warm with a slight breeze, so some fast times were on the cards.

East Down AC had 4 teams on the day, first up were the Male Masters team. Leading off was Martin Willcox, a bit of a veteran at this event so took the first leg and was happy with his run clocking 11 min 42 sec for the 2.1 miles. Martin handed over to Men’s Team captain Seamus Savage who kept the team in the running with a great time of 12 min 46 sec. Third leg was taken on by Wayne Giles who is always game for any race and was happy with his run of 16 min 38 sec. Last to go on the glory leg was Tom McClean who knows this competition well and brought the team home in a final time of 56 min 08 sec, With the team placing 24th out of 31 teams.

EDAC Senior Ladies on the Podium

Sometimes the hardest part of the Relays is gathering up 4 runners and Caroline MacNabb had to shout loud to get a team, but her persistence paid off. There were 16 Senior Ladies teams with last year’s winners Annadale Striders returning as favourites. Willowfield Harriers and North Down AC also had gathered some of their top performers so it was going to be a hotly contested event. Caroline went off first in the EDAC line up which meant she would experience the bullet from the gun velocity of the lead off runners but she kept her cool. As predicted Annadale took the lead with Willowfield chasing hard. The North Down AC athlete hung onto third but Caroline locked EDAC into a secure 4th position on the handover with an 11 min 50 sec leg, Hannah Somani was able to capitalize on this and overhauled North Down within the first mile. Her 12 min 07 sec pace was enough to make the gap by the end of her stint and so all eyes were on Abigail Elliott as she took to the course. The newly turned 16 year old had willingly stepped up to the plate to make up a team but she was understandably nervous due to the lack of experience at this level. She had been well warned that going out too fast could lead to all sorts of problems in the 2nd lap so she sensibly focused on her pacing throughout. She looked every inch the pro as she held onto the third position and maybe even squeezed a bit more of a lead. Anna Gardiner, still on the crest of a hugely successful year was the anchor woman and regardless of the fact that the bronze position seemed in the bag, she was eager to take her turn. She recorded 11 min 34 sec for the 2.1 miles – the quickest leg in the EDAC team and crossed the line well ahead of the next runner. There was celebration all round as they were called to the podium to pick up their bronze medals. A just reward for their efforts, well done Ladies.

EDAC Senior Men

Last race of the afternoon was the Senior Men’s race, EDAC had two teams in this final event. EDAC A team was lead away on the first leg by Matt Bezzant, this was his first year at the Relays and took on the first leg which is always fast and furious and put in a solid first leg in a time of 11 min 23 sec, again another first timer was Adam Withers on the second leg and who has had a great season on the road put in a great time of 11 in 01 sec keeping the team in a good position. Adam handed over to Jacob Crawford who had a great run at the Mill Hill Mile and had a great run on his leg with a great time of 10 min 43 sec. On the glory leg Aaron McGrady brought the A team home in 8th position out of 23 teams, Aaron timed his two laps in 10 min 33 sec.

The EDAC B team was made up of youth, experience and age. Daniel Giles was on leg one, and normally used to the longer distances headed for the start line. He put in a steady performance of 12 min 16 sec, James Cuffy fresh from the Mourne Mountain Marathon took over from Daniel and put in a strong leg of 12 min 04 sec. The third leg was taken on by Adam Morgan who has done the relays many times and kept the B team in a good position with a time of 14 min 29 sec. Dee Murray, a veteran at the relays, dug in for a strong final leg to bring the team in 23rd position and astrong time of 12 min 16 sec. A great day at Victoria Park, well done to all involved. Also well done to Newcastle AC for their Senior Mens gold with a very strong team and performance.