There has been considerable interest in and several suggestions made that we should have an In-Club competition similar to other clubs have, running throughout the year, in order to help increase participation in club organised events by club members of all abilities.
Accordingly I have pulled together some “rules” for the proposed competition in order to get it off the ground or, up and running, if you prefer, as if we don’t start now many of the possible events will be past! I’m thinking specifically in terms of enabling junior participation, as there are quite a number of events where the races on offer also have shorter distances or have Relay options which will enable most of our 11+ juniors to take part.
The competition will be based on the performances in the races listed below and will begin immediately. While some of you may not yet know about this competition it kicked off with the performances of EDAC members in the Belfast marathon on Monday. So if you were lucky enough to be running there you’ll be off to a great start, without even knowing about it! The rules below will probably have to be amended, extended, added to or otherwise bent or broken depending on the level of complaints, criticisms, queries etc. received and indeed will be manipulated if it is apparent that I’m not going to win any of the titles on offer, or more likely, depending on the amount of your bribe!!
RULES of COMPETITION
Participation is not compulsory
1. – Only fully paid up Club members will be eligible to participate. 10 points will be awarded for each race completed
2. – Extra points will be awarded for finishing positions in relation to other club member participants e.g. 10 points for 1st male/female finisher, 9 for 2nd etc. down to 1 point for 10th , or as dictated by the number of EDAC runners e.g. if there are 20 runners then the points award will begin at 20 for 1st male/female finisher, down to 1 point.
3. – Members who set PBs in any of the races will be awarded additional points.
4. – Bonus points will be awarded for anyone attempting the distance for the first time and of course in such instances the runner will also get the bonus points for a PB.
5. – Members are expected to participate in at least 10 of the races included in the series, of which one must be a cross country or trail race attracting double points, to be eligible for the Series prizes.
6 – Members will be awarded 10 extra points for completing a full marathon anywhere, (See Ruie 10) and points for their placing in the marathon rankings list as at Rule 2 above.
7 – There is no restriction on the number of events that a member can participate in – the more events you compete in the more points you can accumulate.
8. – Perpetual and individual trophies will be awarded to the 1st & 2nd male & female members who accumulate the highest and second highest number of points at the end of the Series.
9. – There will be special awards for everyone who completes all of the designated events.
10 – Members should advise the scorekeeper of any marathons they take part in which are not listed as they will be eligible for inclusion when calculating their points total. This applies only to marathon or ultra marathon distances, as they are exceptional challenges. No other races outside those listed will count towards the points scoring totals.
11. -Joe Quinn will keep the scores but you will need to let him know of any eligible races or those under Rule 10 above that you have taken part in but for which he has not awarded points.
12. – Any amendments to the Rules will be notified to members as soon as they are made.
13 – The number of points to be awarded for “first time at the distance” and “PBs” have not yet been decided but will be notified as in Rule 12.
13 – In case of any disputes the Management Committee will adjudicate. Their decision will be final.EAST DOWN AC PROMOTED EVENTS FOR 2017
PLUS OTHER SELECTED RACES
MAY
Monday 1 May 2017 – Belfast City Marathon and Relay at 9.00am
Sunday 7 May – Lisburn Relays in Wallace Park at 12.00 noon
Saturday 13 May – 3 Lakes 15 K and 7K at 11.00am.
Saturday 20th May – Knockevin Special School 5K/10K race
Saturday 27th May – Co Antrim Harriers Ballyclare May Fair 5k and 10K at 10.00am (highly recommended, great food)
JUNE
Friday 16 June – Comber 10K at 7.30pm (please support Ballydrain Harriers) (highly recommended, great food)
Friday 23 June – Killyleagh 5 and Junior Club Team races at 6.30pm
Wednesday 28 June – Loughinisland GAC 5.05 Miles & Fun Run at 7.30pm
JULY
Tuesday 11 July – The Shore Killough 10K at 7.30pm
Tuesday 18 July – Portaferry 10 Miles and 2 x 5 Miles Relay at 7.45pm
Wednesday 26 July – RGU 10K and 2 x 5K Relay at 7.30pm
Saturday 29 July – Kilmore Rec FC 10K in Crossgar at 7.00pm
AUGUST
**Saturday 5 August 2017 – Delamont Trail 10K – Atlas Running (off road)
**Saturday 12 August 2017 – Lecale Way 10K – Ballyhornan – Atlas Running (off road)
Sunday 13 August – Darragh Cross 10K and Fun Run 12.00pm (provisional date)
Friday 25 August – Strangford Festival 10K and 5K Walk/Run at 7.30pm
Saturday 26 August – Great East Run (Killyleagh Half Marathon) and 3 person Relay in aid of Alzheimers Society at 10.00am
SEPTEMBER
Saturday 30 September 2017 – Bangor 10K
OCTOBER
Saturday 14 October 2017 – Gr8 Dundrum Run
** Saturday 14 October Comber Cup Cross Country – provisiomal date
Saturday 21 October – Red High 10K and 2 x 5K Relay
NOVEMBER
Sunday 5 November – Home Start 5K Fun Run and 10K Race
DECEMBER
Sunday 3 December – Saul Round the Griddle 5K and 10K at 12.00 noon.
23 Events in Total
Events in BOLD type are East Down AC organised promotions.
Events marked** are eligible as cross country or trail races as per Rule 5
The following are listed as of interest only and are not part of the series proper but which will count for points if you do any of them.
Sunday 28th May 2017 – Newry City Marathon 9.30 am
Sunday 4 June 2017 – Walled City Marathon at 9.00am
Friday 30 June – Ards Half Marathon at 6.30pm
Sunday 20 August – Connswater 5K and 10K at 10.00am
Saturday 7 October 2017 – NI Relay C/ships in Victoria Park
Joe Quinn May 4th 2017