WEEKEND OF FIRSTS
What a weekend it turned out to be for East Down AC athletes as they chalked up numerous firsts at a variety of events, over a variety of terrains and of distances ranging from 5K to full marathon.
DONARD CHALLENGE FELL RACE
Davy Foster was the first of our runners that I heard of after he completed the Donard Challenge Fell Race on Saturday in 1.24.36 in 167th and first EDAC man to finish the race.
CASTLEWARD HALF MARATHON AND 5K
Photo courtesy of Born2Run
Not long after his wife Joanne was the first female finisher in the Born2Run Half Marathon in Castleward in an excellent time of 1.39.34, which equates to something like 1.32 for a normal road Half. Just before Joanne started her race daughter Kirsti was first Female in the 5K race in 22.27, so a real family duet.
COOLEY LEGENDS HALF MARATHON
On Saturday afternoon Marguerite Robinson set a number of firsts. In her first run for East Down on her first race back after a year off due to a stress fracture in her foot, Marguerite celebrated in style by taking first prize in the Over 40 category in a time of 2.08.47 Well Done to her.
TITANIC 10K
Of course there were several EDAC runners in the Titanic 10K on Sunday afternoon and the firsts continued. Like Marguerite in Cooley, Conor Rice was making his debut in Club colours and Yes, you’ve guessed it! – he came in first – of the East Down squad of 9! He was 99th in a field of over 800 runners and clocked 40.03 for a new pb. Conor is a triathlete but even in the absence of water and wheels he is a formidable runner.
Niamh Kellett was not far behind Conor, taking 113th place in 40.33, which was 35 seconds better than last year and first EDAC female home. Clare Carson was the only other female from EDAC and could be very pleased with her time of 47.53.
Raymond Milligan continued in his fine vein of form and recorded 41.27, while Mark O’Connor also paced it well to clock 42.31, with Andrew Telford and Michael McCreesh finishing in 42.45 and 42.50 respectively and Gavin Hynds a further 5 seconds behind that. It was good to note that Gary Small was out again, though I must apologise as I didn’t actually see him passing by but nevertheless 50.17 is not a time to be sneezed at.
I find the Titanic 10K a very boring, difficult and inhospitable course, hence my tendency to marshal at, rather than run in, it. It is also noted for strong cross winds which invariably meet the runners head on at some point. Sunday’s conditions were much as described which aided by the strong sunshine made for some uncomfortable miles, especially for the novices. Well Done everyone.
RUN ARMAGH MARATHON
This event probably represented the biggest “First” of the weekend in that it was the longest and perhaps was the most significant in terms of “unlikely to be achieved again”. Anyway it was in Armagh city that the latest in the adventures that is long distance running began, early on Sunday morning. The Run Armagh marathon basically consists of 4 laps of the 10K course and proved no great obstacle to Declan Teague and Phillip Vint who set off in each others company and practically just ground out the miles. Despite losing contact with each other after halfway there was not a lot in it at the finish, with Philip clocking 3.22 in 2nd place and Declan 3rd in3.26.. And thus another two firsts were recorded. The first time that 2 EDAC athletes had finished 2nd and 3rd in a full marathon and the first time that the aforementioned shared a podium. Not only that but it was also the first time that Phillip, a Busy Bus driver by profession, had to be directed to where he left his car, having apparently forgotten that he’d had to re-locate it before the race because it was “badly parked”. It is to be hoped that none of his passengers from in and around Downpatrick are delivered to Armagh, this week! That really would be a first.
Michael Cultra I believe completed in just over 4 hours while Oonagh Brétéché and Linda Cunningham finished together in 4.53., on what they described as a good, hilly wee course!!
RUN RABBIT RUN
The Proctor-Amos family enjoyed their day out at the Rabbit 5K Run on Sunday in aid of the Northern Ireland Hospice with Lara 27.40, and Kiera 28.34 finishing ahead of Dad Gareth and Mia 30.02, the first time they have all competed together.
NOT FOR THE FIRST TIME
Not to be outdone I also was involved in a memorable pair of firsts over the weekend. The last first I want to tell you about is that for the first time in 20 years I didn’t back Sergio Garcia to win a Major! And what does he do? – only comes first that’s all! That’s the last time I’m gonna back him to be first.
BALLYGALGET 10K ROAD RACE
On Easter Sunday 16th April the Ballygalget 10K Road Race and 5K Walk is again the local event to look forward to and with free return transport from the ferry to the start there is no reason why many from this side of the Lough should not take advantage to sample the hospitality of our friends in the Peninsula. Race begins at 12 noon with registration beforehand in the Gaelic Club premises.
LIONS THREE LAKES 7 AND 15K CHARITY RACES
The next local race promoted by East Down AC takes place on Saturday 13th May from the Lakeside Inn on the shores of Ballydugan Lake, with a choice of 2 distances, 8 and 15K, the latter of which takes in views of Magheraleggan and Loughinisland Lakes before returning to the Inn. There are special medals this year so everyone who wants a little bit of bling will be satisfied. Downpatrick Lions Club are again supporting the Downs Syndrome Association charity and so runners again will be helping a very worthy cause. Not only that but every runner will receive a free running vest and water bottle.
Online registration is now open at www.sientries.co.uk and entries will also be taken on the day.
As you can see from the number of events that took place that this was a time consuming task. I would appeal to you all to forward results and photos to me joemarathon50@btinternet.com as this would speed up the process and if you have done a number swap that would be particularly useful to know in advance. As always apologies if you have been omitted – it is easy to miss and event or athlete when so much is going on!
Joe Quinn
10 April 2017