JIMMY”S 10K FAST APPROACHING
East Down AC has had a busy week both in terms of racing and in terms of getting ready for our flagship event Jimmy’s 10k which is to be held on March 12th. The race is a bit like Christmas – it comes once a year and is on (virtually) the same date each time and yet it creeps up on us until it is just around the corner. It is now a matter of 2 weeks till it takes place and we are nearly at capacity. If you are still considering an entry, delay no longer as a year is a long time to wait if you miss out. It’s going to be great!
MALLUSK – ULSTER SCHOOLS” XC
On the racing front, action started midweek as it was the Ulster Schools’ Cross Country at Mallusk. Although this is a competition between schools rather than clubs we are always keen to see our athletes performing for their respective institutions. To get to this level you have to have come in the top 14 in your age group at the Districts’ Event so even to participate here is an achievement and we were proud to see so many EDAC Juniors in action. In the Minis (year 8) Kirsti Foster came 11th and Iona Bunbury did well having been drafted in at short notice as a sub. George McBratney was 18th in the Minor Boys. In the Inter Girls Edie Carroll was 16th despite a fall at the start of the race and Niamh McBratney was 36th. In the Senior Girls Laura Gardiner was 9th which qualifies her to race in the All Irelands in March. Ellen Erskine, Aoife Cochrane and Laura Green also put in worthy performances in that category. James Smyth had to wait till the last race of the day and was an impressive 22nd in the Senior Boys.
Flahavan’s Porridge has been hosting a series of Primary School Cross Country Races and these culminated in a race also at Mallusk. Lauren Madine stormed to victory having won all her heats along the way. A clear winner! Lucy Foster wasn’t far behind in 4th. A sign of things to come in the Districts next year.
STORMONT XC
On Saturday there was the chance for more fun in the mud! Weather conditions were not as bad as the forecast suggested but a stiff breeze made the races a challenge. It kicked off with a Primary Race. Perhaps predictably Lauren Madine was off at the head of the pack and held off any challenges to come first across the line. Lucy Foster (5th) and younger sister Jodi (12th) were also in the mix and as a result won a trophy for the Team Prize. Kirsty Foster was 5th in the U13 and Edie Carroll came 4th in the U15/17 combined race so a good start to the day.
Just in case you think it is all about the Juniors I am pleased to say that we fielded both a Ladies and Men’s Team. Alison Gilliland showed that her recent prowess on the road was no fluke when she battled hard to come 11th. Joanne Foster, Aoife Cochrane, Clare Carson, Alison Carroll and Catherine Burke duly followed in that order and looked pleased with their efforts. For some of them staying upright was victory enough. The Men were represented by Dee Murray and Davy Foster who seemed to be stuck like glue for the duration with Dee edging ahead in the last burst to come 29th to Davy’s 30th. This gave Dee the win in the O45 category. Stephen Heasley and Gavin Hynds took it in their stride (literally) and although Simon McGrattan was last in for EDAC he was certainly not least as he had a flock (if that is the correct collective noun?) of Juniors running along side as support crew which brought a smile to his face. A good job well done by all.
SUNDAY _ RUNNING IN THE RAIN
The heavy rain expected on Saturday never materialised and instead came on Sunday with a vengeance. It was wet and windy from early on as was later confirmed by a hardy bunch who met at 8.30am to trial the Jimmy’s10 Route. I am not sure why you would want to do it once let alone twice but the idea was to build up confidence before the real thing. It was open to non members and it was great to see a few new faces. All I can say is given the conditions if you have not been totally put off you are made of strong stuff and Race Day will be a walk in the park compared to that.
For a few diehards a trial 10k was not demanding enough so they put in a few miles before or after which seems beyond the call of duty but we all know that Winter Miles make Summer Smiles and all that. Stephen Heasley seemed to go off piste as he and his compatriots Clare Carson and Sean Sealey did 15+ miles. I really hope that he is not one of the pacers for Jimmy’s 10k as the people following him might be rightly disgruntled! For yet another group even that was considered sub standard and they took themselves off to compete in an event at Carrickfergus in honour of World Marathon Day. It had to be explained to me that the date 26:2 was the thinking behind this venture being the same as 26.2 the distance that makes up a marathon in miles. …Think about it for a bit and it will make sense. Anyway Philip Vint did the full marathon distance in horrendous conditions as did Michael Cultra, Oonagh Breteche and Linda Cunningham. They were accompanied by Gordon and Jackie Moore and Paula Mckibben from Murlough AC who did a half marathon distance. Helen Vint clocked a crazy 17 miles for good measure, Why 17? again a play on the date – 26.2.17. That was World Marathon Day well and truly marked.
McGRADY FINANCIAL SERVICES JUNIOR XC
And then back to where we started – the EDAC JUNIORS – this time meeting in Tollymore for the final race in the McGrady Financial Services XC. Talk about groundhog day. It has been a recurring theme in this report – rain, wind and mud in copious quantities and for some this was their third xc in 5 days but nothing seems to deter these junior runners many of whom are only replicating the behaviour that they see around them. The Seniors in the club should be proud that they are leading the next generation forward by example.
The Tollymore event was a challenge for organisers and runners alike but a full program of events was delivered against the odds with first places for Kieran Trainor (P4and under), Kari Foster (P4 and under), Jodi Foster (P5), Emily Burns (P6), Lauren Madine (P7) Kirsti Foster (Year 8), Andrew McGrattan (Year 10), Matthew McGrattan (year 11+) and Niamh McBratney (Year 11+) and inspiring performances from a host of others who battled against their rivals, the conditions or both to gain points for EDAC. Every single one of you deserves a medal for turning out. Thanks to you and your parents for making the day a success.
AND SO TO NEXT WEEK
One more XC in the form of the NI&Ulster Championships in Lurgan Park on Saturday 4th March and then a welcome transition on to solid ground as Jimmy’s 10 gets the road season off to a flying start. Plenty to be excited about – see you there.