LADIES SHINE at LURGAN
It was the East Down Ladies who took the honours in the final cross country fixture of the season, the NI and Ulster Senior Championships which were held on Saturday in Lurgan Park. Fielding 2 teams the girls had a real go for honours from the start and led by Niamh Kellett 22nd and Laura Gardiner 33rd the East Down Ladies packed very well to achieve a highly creditable 9th place out of 26 teams. The other two scoring team members were Joanne Foster and Aoife Cochrane. Not to be outdone the second East Down Ladies team, comprising Clare Carson, Alison Carroll, Catherine Burke Ella Carroll and Carmel Tumelty also acquitted itself very well, taking 19th place overall. So it might well be the Ladies who will achieve the major break through to claim a team title next year
The Senior Men’s race was a closely fought battle at the front, though hugely competitive throughout and the East Down team could only manage 13th place out of the 14 teams involved.
JAMES MAKES A WELCOME RETURN in BEN DEARG COAST 10K
Near perfect conditions welcomed a record number of runners to the picturesque shores of Strangford Lough on Sunday afternoon, for the Ben Dearg Coast races. Dry, mild but most importantly, wind free weather raised the spirits of all the participants and the hard working organising group certainly deserved to reap success for their efforts to deliver a high quality event.
Newcastle’s Joe McCann proved that he is back to his competitive best with an inspiring run as he only narrowly failed to repeat his club mate David Simpson’s win in last year’s race. Over 40 seconds down at the turnaround in Ballyhornan, he used all his experience and not inconsiderable ability to reduce the gap between himself and eventual winner Finbar Keary to a mere 13 seconds at the finish line. However it was great to see the figure of James Savage, after a soul destroying absence through injury, return to racing with a morale boosting run into 3rd place. He finished comfortably ahead of 4th placed Eric Fairfield of Orangegrove and it was interesting to note that only one of the top ten finishers was under 35. Plenty of life then in the “old dogs” yet.
Tony Scullion NICSAC, took the Over 35 prize and Gerry Irvine was the Over 50 winner.
LISA LEADS THE LADIES
The Ladies race was won by East Down’s ever improving Lisa Laird in a new pb time of 41.44, which she hopes to better again at next Sunday’s Jimmy’s Ten.
Joelene Scott was a popular runner up with Alison McConnell Olympian Triathlon Club in 3rd place. Letitia Fitzsimons from the recently formed Ballygalget AC took the Over 35 prize with Anne McCormick the winner of the Over 50 category
5K RACE
Almost 150 runners took on the out and back 5K “sprint” and enjoyed the early Spring like weather and the great vocal support along the way. Andrew Telford was the clear winner of the Men’s race with East Down starlet Lauren Madine, in third place overall, taking the ladies first prize.
SPONSORS
A massive thank you to all the sponsors whose generous support is much appreciated and of course a final Well Done to everyone who took part.
JIMMY’S TEN IS SOLD OUT! NO ENTRIES ON THE DAY
East Down AC are proud to announce that we are looking forward to hosting record numbers this year! Club Secretary Joe Quinn confirmed that online registration closed automatically yesterday once the maximum quota had been reached and said that unfortunately for those who missed out there would be
NO on the day registration this year.
Online entries opened in December and runners were informed that numbers would be capped and were encouraged to enter early to avail of the Early Bird reduced rate entry fee, with the added incentive that the event offered the unique guarantee to carry over any entries if runners were unable to run, for whatever reason. I find it surprising that so many still leave it until the last minute before applying to get in. In the light of it’s apparent ineffectiveness this arrangement, which carries with it a heavy administration overhead, will have to be re-considered.
ROAD CLOSURES ON JIMMY’S TEN RACE DAY
Road closures will be in operation around the course from 10.45 am until 12.30pm and motorists are asked to make alternative arrangements and to allow extra time for their journeys. Details are listed on the club’s webpage www.eastdownac.co.uk
JUNIOR JIMMY’S RACES ON ST PATRICK’S DAY
On St Patrick’s Day in Market St, just before the Festival Parade arrives East Down will again be staging a series of races for P3, P4, P5, P6 and P7 Boys and Girls generously sponsored by the local McDonald’s outlet. Primary School children from all schools are welcome and medals and fruit packs will be provided to every participant.
The streets will be packed with spectators waiting for the parade so this is the chance to perform in front of a massive audience.
Further details on the club website www.eastdownac.co.uk
Joe Quinn
6 March 2017