Saturday morning saw EDACs marathon man Philip Vint head to Woodburn Forest Park for his second marathon in a week. After his second place the Sunday before at the Newry Marathon, he was hoping to complete his 91st marathon as he heads for his century. The Rabbit Run is based in Woodburn Forest, with a Marathon, Half marathon and 10k distances.
The Marathon completes two large circular loops of the forest park and 98% of the route is off road with a mix of terrain. All these events are self sufficient and no trace of the event once completed. All Entrants are given a full GPX of the course, carry their own food and water, along with a small mandatory kit. There are no marshalls but some arrows are on course to help.
This marathon was a completely different challenge for Philip with undergrowth, inclines, declines, water and lots of mud and a great view of Belfast Lough, Philip came in 4 hrs 05 mins, an amazing effort and a tough week.
Saturday 30th Dec saw the annual running of one of the most popular team races in N Ireland. Over 600 pairs of runners took on the multi terrain course, which changes each year to keep everyone guessing. With poor weather conditions early on the race could have been in jeopardy, but with a quick route change and improving conditions Newcastle AC got the runners to the start line. This race is a big favourite with EDAC and the club had 10 members in club colours or fancy dress. The rain held off and 1 344 runners set off though Castlewellan and into the Forest park and onto many muddy farmers fields, steep hills and tracks, finishing in front of the Castle on the campsite. This event has a great atmosphere and support round the course which is much needed at times. Well done Newcastle AC and the winners Jared
Martin and Thomas Renshaw. And well done to all East Down athletes.
British Masters International Cross Country Glasgow
Saturday morning saw N Irelands Masters Cross country Teams descended on Tollcross Park Glasgow for the annual international Masters compertition. With age groups from 35 up to 70 compete in a number of races with teams from across the UK and Ireland. Conditions were good, a little bit cool, with a fast grass course around an undulating route. EDACs Catherine O’Connor was part of the ladies 35 to 39 age group team. Catherine has had a great year with winning the European Ladies Masters title in Italy earlier this year she was in good form and with very stiff competition she headed to the front of the race where she stayed. Catherine placed 3rd overall in her race with team mates Sarah McNutt and Judith Storm packing well behind her in 4th and 5th place respectively, great team cross country running from the ladies winning team Gold and Bronze individual for Catherine.
For the EDAC men Neil Curran was racing for N Ireland in the 45 to 49 age group. All the different age groups are at a very high standard and it is a very big step up from the league races. Neil had a great race and with a great time and helped the N Ireland team to fourth position. Well done to both Catherine and Neil for flying the flag.
IMRA Powerscourt Ridge Race
Also on Saturday morning down in Wicklow EDACs mountain man Niall Gibney was taking on the IMRA Powerscourt Ridge Race. This is a very popular race attracting runners from all over Ireland. Starting at Crone Wood it takes in the summits of Maulin and Djouce mountains returning via the Wicklow Way with a quick glimpse of the famous Powerscourt waterfall on the way home. The course was 9 ½ miles with 2 800 feet of climbing, and Niall completed the distance in 1 hr 40 mins, with perfect conditions Niall enjoyed the scenery for a change.
Tollymore Trail Marathon
Meanwhile in Co Down on Saturday morning saw 26 Extreme Organize the Tollymore Trail Marathon, this includes a 40 mile Ultra marathon, marathon, half marathon and 10k race in Tollymore Forest park. This is a challenging event with many steep climbs and descents, the course follows many of the gravel fire roads and smaller single muddy Tracks. East Downs Philip Vint who has ran many marathons and Ultra took on the full marathon and coming off the back of the Dublin Marathon knew he was taking on a slightly different challenge. With clear and dry conditions 73 athletes took on the trail marathon, Philip found the going tough but enjoyed the whole event and the autumn scenery made it worthwhile. Philip crossed the finish line in 8th position in a time of 3 hr 37 min 04 sec, a great run and that is Philips 89th marathon ticked off with the century in sight.
On Saturday morning saw the running of the Newcastle Way Marathon / Half Marathon organised by We Run Wild NI. The Marathon route follows the way marked Newcastle Way, starting at the visitors centre in Newcastle, the route continues to Tollymore Forest and on to Castlewellan Forest before winding its way back down to Murlough, where the runners continue along the beach to the finish in Newcastle. This event is self sufficient and all entrants follow provided GPX files, carry their own water and food along with a small mandatory kit. There are no marshals or course markings.
East Downs Philip Vint took on the full Marathon, he is a seasoned marathon and ultra runner and enjoyed the whole event, and a different challenge, and said the whole event was well organised with a great atmosphere. Philip paced an excellent race coming in third place overall in a time of 3 hrs 58 min 58 sec.
On Saturday morning EDACs Phillip Vint was taking on the Lecale Way Ultra, this event is organized by Atlas running events and is a point to point race starting in Strangford and finishing on the beach in Newcastle. 50k is about 31 miles in old money, Phillip is no stranger to marathons and Ultra marathons and took on this race last year, luckily the conditions this year were a lot better than last year and Phillip was looking for a better time. For safety reason the race has a cut off time 7 hr 30 mins but Phillip paced his race to a tee, following the coast line all the way down to the finish line on the beach in front of the Slieve Donard Hotel in a amazing time of 5 hrs 18 min 12 sec in 4th position. A great effort and time with some great views on the way, well done Phillip.
As my spies and I had missed the results from the Hillsborough Garden running festival and missed the printing press I am updating from a couple of weeks back as Alice and Paul Brear- Clarkson who have been taking on all the local races and any distances in the running diary. Hillsborough half marathon starts as all of the races in the festival in the Gardens of the castle, once you have done a lap on of the grounds the course takes you round Hillsborough forest park then out onto the main road to Annahilt. If you know the road between Annahilt and Hillsborough you may think it is flat and straight if driving but if you are running it is far from that. As Alice explained the route was rolling and with a strong head wind for at least half of the race, it was going to be tough going. Alice and Paul working as a team again crossed the finish line in 1 hr 29 min 36 sec, Alice was first lady in the half, great running on a tricky course. This is a great family event which seems to be growing year by year.
Friday Evening saw the popular Sea to Sky 10k, 5k and walk, organized by Born 2 Run running events. The race boasts a scenic route starting on the promenade in Newcastle and includes a mix of road and track before heading up through the foothills of the Mourne Mountains, then back down to finish on the seafront. The rain held off as four EDAC runners toed the line for the 10k race. Dee Murray after completing the Portaferry 10 mile a couple of days before took to the challenge and was the first red and yellow vest home in 24th position in a time of 41 min 51 sec, great effort after a busy week. Not too far behind was Daniel Giles who tried to stick with Dee coming in only 3 seconds behind him in 26th spot.
Paul and Alice Brear Clarkson again after a great run on Tuesday night in Portaferry were again working as a great team, with Paul coming in 41st position and Alice 43rd, Paul timing 44 min dead Alice a couple of seconds behind. Some strong running over a difficult course.
