At the end the year the juniors joined the seniors at the annual predicted time trial and Christmas party. Each junior had to predict what time they could complete a mile and the closest to their predicted time won a prize.
Thirty juniors turned up and discussed run tactics and predictions. The question, that all the seniors also ask, is whether to do a slow, steady run or to go as fast as you can . It isn’t the fastest who wins, just the person closest to their predicted time. On this occasion it was the first finisher Thomas Magee who got bragging rights for the fastest and the closest to his predicted time. Dillon Hynds was second closely followed by Matthew Taylor.
After the Christmas break races return in the new year starting with the Mathieson Cup on the 14th January. Then it will time for secondary school boys & girls to represent their schools at the Ulster Schools Districts Cross Country races starting on the 19th.Jaunary before EDAC hosts the next race in the McGrady series at Delamont on the 21st.
On the Thursday before Christmas East Down AC held their annual club Predicted Time Trial at the Downshire estate. This is a 5k run where each runner predicts what time they will complete the distance, this run is completed without the aid of a watch or GPS. The route is three long laps of the Downshire hospital. The conditions were cold and very breezy and with a great turn out and a final inspection that no time pieces were being worn or carried the athletes were set off. On a predicted time trial it’s not who runs the fastest, it’s who can pace their run closet to the time they wrote down before the start. A number of runners put their heads down and went for, but most were playing a more tactical game. Once all runners finished their run coach Paul Burns and his team started working out the results while the runners had a cup of tea and mince pie and tried to work out how they did.
Once the results were in the the top three were announced to the waiting crowd, In joint second place was Nuala Taylor in a time of 25 min 12 sec, predicted time of 25 min dead and Jame Cuffey in 18 min 58 sec predicted time of 19 min 10 sec so both athletes were 12 seconds out. The top spot went to Roisin Gaffey who ran a canny 5k with a predicted time of 28 min 28 sec and crossed the finish line in 28 min 18 sec a difference of ten seconds, a great and enjoyable club event.
EDAC Annual Awards
After the time trial the Annual East Down AC awards were presented. All club members have the opportunity to vote for the five categories. EDAC Male and Female Athlete of the year, most improved Male and Female Athlete of the year and Club Person of the Year. Many nominations were put in for all categories, especially Club Person of the year. The Awards went to.
Male Athlete of the year – Aaron McGrady
Female Athlete of the year – Catherine O Connor
Best improved Male Athlete – Daniel Giles
Best Improved Female Athletes – Aine Grant and Leanne Spick
EDAC Club Person of the Year – Paul Burns
Well done to all Athletes that were nominated.
London Marathon Club Ballot
To finish off the night the club held the Club ballot for its slot in the 2024 London Marathon. Each running club in the UK is allocated a slot or slots depending on the size of the club. EDAC has an criteria before an athlete can put their name into the hat for the ballot. This year three members met that criteria and were in with a shout. The lucky runner’s name was picked out of the hat by Wayne Giles. Barrie Atknison was the lucky winner, with Joanne Carson as reserve, good luck to Barrie for the race.
From all the members at East Down AC have a happy Christmas and a Great New Year.
If any EDAC member is not receiving email news from membership@eastdownac.co.uk and you would like to receive these, can you please email me to the above address with the members name and email address. This also applies to any member wishing to change their email address.
We think we can help you with answers to any or all of these.
Want to find out more?
Come along to our (East Down AC) Clubrooms (at Ballydugan Rd Industrial Estate, New Horizons Building, Downpatrick) on Tuesday 12 January 2016 at 8.00pm and we’ll be happy to talk to you.
Everyone welcome, whether a member of East Down AC, some other club, or none.
We think we have enough experience, especially on how NOT to run a marathon, and which has been largely kept secret but which needs to be put to good use, to help.
Look forward to seeing lots of you there – we might even manage a cup of tea or coffee, before such luxuries are banned!!
“We” include Myself, Phillip Vint and a others with one or two marathons under our belts
Project Africa are offering an event whereby there will be a mixture of keynote addresses involving inspirational speakers who have fascinating stories to tell, starting out with nothing, and working their way to the very top of their chosen sport. A NIGHT NOT TO BE MISSED for anyone wanting to make it to the very top, or to hear first-hand what it takes to come from nothing and achieve something!
Just a reminder for the 5K Time Trial taking place this coming Thursday evening. We will be departing the clubrooms at 7:15pm to meet at the Downshire.
We have prizes for the top 6 (those with actual time closest to their predicted time) and there will also be more than a dozen ‘spot prizes’ of East Down AC Beanies and mugs.
Results & prize giving will take place in the Clubrooms immediately afterwards and there will be tea & coffee & mince pies for all.
It would be great to have a really good turnout so please come along if you can.
We have prizes for the top 6 (those with actual time closest to their predicted time) and there will also be more than a dozen ‘spot prizes’ of East Down AC Beanies and mugs.