Club Predicted Time Trial
On the Thursday before Christmas East Down AC held their annual club Predicted Time Trial at the Downshire estate. This is a 5k run where each runner predicts what time they will complete the distance, this run is completed without the aid of a watch or GPS. The route is three long laps of the Downshire hospital. The conditions were cold and very breezy and with a great turn out and a final inspection that no time pieces were being worn or carried the athletes were set off. On a predicted time trial it’s not who runs the fastest, it’s who can pace their run closet to the time they wrote down before the start. A number of runners put their heads down and went for, but most were playing a more tactical game. Once all runners finished their run coach Paul Burns and his team started working out the results while the runners had a cup of tea and mince pie and tried to work out how they did.
Once the results were in the the top three were announced to the waiting crowd, In joint second place was Nuala Taylor in a time of 25 min 12 sec, predicted time of 25 min dead and Jame Cuffey in 18 min 58 sec predicted time of 19 min 10 sec so both athletes were 12 seconds out. The top spot went to Roisin Gaffey who ran a canny 5k with a predicted time of 28 min 28 sec and crossed the finish line in 28 min 18 sec a difference of ten seconds, a great and enjoyable club event.
EDAC Annual Awards
After the time trial the Annual East Down AC awards were presented. All club members have the opportunity to vote for the five categories. EDAC Male and Female Athlete of the year, most improved Male and Female Athlete of the year and Club Person of the Year. Many nominations were put in for all categories, especially Club Person of the year. The Awards went to.
Male Athlete of the year – Aaron McGrady
Female Athlete of the year – Catherine O Connor
Best improved Male Athlete – Daniel Giles
Best Improved Female Athletes – Aine Grant and Leanne Spick
EDAC Club Person of the Year – Paul Burns
Well done to all Athletes that were nominated.
London Marathon Club Ballot
To finish off the night the club held the Club ballot for its slot in the 2024 London Marathon. Each running club in the UK is allocated a slot or slots depending on the size of the club. EDAC has an criteria before an athlete can put their name into the hat for the ballot. This year three members met that criteria and were in with a shout. The lucky runner’s name was picked out of the hat by Wayne Giles. Barrie Atknison was the lucky winner, with Joanne Carson as reserve, good luck to Barrie for the race.
From all the members at East Down AC have a happy Christmas and a Great New Year.
