On Saturday afternoon 842 runners took part in the Joe Seeley Memorial 10k, this is the 38th running of this annual event hosted by Willowfield Harriers. The Seeley Cup is seen as the culmination of the NI road racing season, the Seeley 10k attracts athletes from across the UK with its fast flat course which starts on the Ormeau embankment with two and a bit laps of Ormeau Park and finishes in the center of the park. For those watching and racing it was a very cold and sharp day but the rain held off, so some fast times were expected.

A top quality field toed the start line with Olympian Paul Pollock heading the field, EDAC had 8 athletes in the mix and from the gun Catherine O Connor went to the front of the field. Catherine has had a great season on and off the road and finished the road season off in style with a PB in 35 min 05 sec 107th position and 5th lady home in a very strong field. Adam Withers was next across the line, Adam has had a great year on the road/track and mud and will be pleased with his time of 35 min 44 sec. Matt Bezzant since joining the club has had some strong performances over the past year and had another strong run in 36 min 24 sec. Man for all seasons and races Dee Murray put in another great run for the club with a time of 38 min 20 sec, not far behind Dee was James Cuffey who has turned his hand to all terrains this year and finished this year with a strong 10k in a time of 38 min 31 sec. Seamus Savage has led the way as men’s team Captain this year and crossed the line in 386 position in a new PB of 40 min 41 sec. Jonathan Gelston was the next red and yellow vest to break the tape and will be happy with his efforts with a time of 41

min 23 sec. Wayne Giles loves the atmosphere of the big races and being part of the team and enjoyed the event and brought the club home in 55 min 02 sec. The race was won by Annadales Striders Paul Pollock in 29 min 59 sec, a great time and a well run event by Willowfield Harriers.

To finish the year the club will be holding its annual predicted time trial 5k at the Downshire on the 21st Dec 23, followed by the ever popular Castlewellan Christmas Cracker.

Early Sunday morning saw the 7th running of the Ballynahinch run to Remember 5k organized by Ballynahinch Wmrc and Atlas running. This event always attracts many local runners and fun runners. This year Atlas running had put in a new route starting at Morrisons garage and finishing outside Ballynahinch high school, the main part of the course still covered the back lanes of the local area with a number of steep inclines to add to the mix. EDAC had one lone runner on the start line and from the gun Martin Willlcox stuck to the back of the front pack. After all the weeks rain the conditions were dry, cool and sunny which made for a fast race. Martin stuck to the task and after a battle with David Smyth from Newcastle AC came across the line in 4th position in a time of 18 min 28 sec. The race was won second year in a row by Tom Crudgington Newcastle AC in 17 min 23 sec.

Sunday morning saw EDAC athletes head south to Dublin for the annual marathon which has been held every year since 1980. The course starts at Fitzwilliam Street and finishes in Merrion Square, close to historic Trinity College in the city center. The course passes through many of Dublin’s famous 18th century Georgian streets and the beautiful Phoenix Park, Europe’s largest urban park. Conditions on the day were unsettled with some sunny spells with some heavy showers for later on in the race. East Down AC had 9 brave runners make the trip to take on the toughest of races. All these athletes have been quietly training away, putting in the big miles and trying to avoid injuries.

22,500 runners from 60 countries toed the start line for this flat and fast course and from the gun Dermot Cahill was on a mission to get under the 3 hour mark, Dermot has done a number of marathons but has always just missed out on a sub 3 run. After a well paced race he came in 2 hrs 59 min 35 sec in 754th position and a PB, a great effort from Dermot. Not too far behind Dermot was Barrie Atkinson was next in and proved that being a Grandad does not slow you down with a time 3 hr 05 min 48 sec. Second PB of the day went to Paul Brear Clarkson, beating his best time by four minutes and partnered by wife Alice both broke the tap in 3 hr 06 min 38 sec, great team work from this couple, but Alice did admit it was tough going out there. Niamh Kellet was the next Red and Yellow vest to cross the line in 3 hr 19 min 36 sec, another determined run from Niamh. Philip VInt who is running a marathon a month and is an old hand at the Dublin marathon came in 3 hr 38 min 49 sec, that’s his 88th marathon completed. Another runner who knows the streets of Dublin well is Declan Teague, and with relatively little training came in 3 hr 45 min 41 sec, and was pleased with his efforts. Stephen McCarten was next in 4 hrs 40 min 46 sec, great effort from Stephen. Joanne Carson will be pleased to get under the five hour mark with a time of 4 hr 57 min 09 sec. Some great performances from the EDAC athletes. The men’s race was won by Kemal Husen in a new course record of 2 hr 06 min 52 sec with Amente Sorome Negash winning the ladies race in 2 hr 26 min 22 sec.

Saintfield Striders held their annual race day on Sunday past. It was a glorious day for it with bright sun, blue skies and little to no wind. The 10K with 265 runners headed off at 2pm sharp and was won by Gareth Lyons of North Belfast Harriers in 34.01. This was more than impressive given the hilly terrain covered by the runners. The first Female was Gemma McDonald from Ballycastle Runners in 38.41. East Down AC had no runners in this race but they had two ready for action in the 5K which started at 2.10pm.

Maureen Kelly and Alison Carroll knew how hilly the 10K was and had sensibly decided that 5K was ample. They also found out that it was an out and back course with 2.5km of steepish hills which by law of averages meant that there was some downhill to look forward to on the return journey. Maureen fairly flew up the hills and once turned romped home with her usual enthusiasm. Alison followed more sedately but reported that she had enjoyed it once the hills were out of the way. Maureen’s time of 24.36 placed her as 6th female (25th overall) with Alison coming 41st overall and pleased that her time of 29.03 was well below the 30 minute barrier. The 5K had 103 finishers in total with the winner – David Spalding of Ballydrain Harriers – clocking 15.57 and Ruth McCausland of Scrabo Striders taking the female podium in 21.22. Congratulations are due to the host club for putting on a slick and enjoyable event and thanks to those who marshalled or were involved in providing the phenomenal post race spread. One for the diary next year!