2018

Posted on 03/09/2018 by Neil McCartan

FINAL FIRMUS FAB FIVE

At the last meet of the Firmus Fab Five Series hosted by Lagan Valley AC at Mary Peter’s Track on Thursday past there were some impressive performances from our Junior Squad.

BOYS AND MEN

Kieran Trainor (U11 boys) ran1200m in 4’37” on his first time competing on the track. A super effort. The only other male junior, Oliver Robinson, did a double. The U13 boys 100m in 15.15” and a strong run in the 1500m saw Oliver finish in 5’40”. A promising start to his career as a Year 8 athlete. The sole senior of the night was Davy Foster in 1500m running a fast 4’50”. Maybe Davy will stick to these faster shorter distances to try and keep up with his daughters!

GIRLS GALORE

Two of the aforementioned Foster girls competed in the U11 girls 1200m. In a very competitive race Jodi hit the finish line in 4’17” then not far behind was the always smiling Kari in an impressive time of 4’43”. They both also tried the Long Jump.

In the U13 girls 100m EDAC had 3 runners.. Heat 1 saw Kara Trainor finish well in second place in 15.01, then in heat 3 we saw Lauren Madine win in a new PB time of 14.16 and Anna Gardiner come home in 15.67 with Lauren taking the overall win and gold medal for the distance. Kara’s time placed her 6^th overall. It was pleasing to see them follow the lead of the younger girls by trying a field event as well, in this case the discus. Commendable enthusiasm!

Anna Gardiner (3rd) Lauren Madine (1st) and Katie McCleery (2nd) U13 1500m at Mary Peter’s Track

EAST DOWN’S FAB FIVE FEMALES

The U13 girls 1500m saw a large field of 14 athletes of which 5 were EDAC runners and which also included the top class City of Lisburn athlete Katie McCleery who is ranked in the top 10 in the UK for her age category over this distance. McCleery made her intentions clear from the start as she immediately hit the front. Lauren decided to track her run and see how she went and was closely followed by Anna Gardiner, Lucy Foster, Kara Trainor and Emily Burns. All five EDAC athletes looked strong over the 3 & 3/4 laps. On the last bend McCleery tried to hold on but Lauren moved up another gear and cruised past to take first place with 100m to run and crossed the line in a superb time of 4’57” which is a PB by 18 seconds and puts Lauren 8th in the UK for her age for 2018. That is an outstanding performance.

Anna Gardiner was the next EDAC athlete to finish (5’05) which is also a significant PB. The PBs were coming thick and fast as Lucy Foster came home in 5’17” which was 12 seconds better than her previous best. The ever improving duo of Kara Trainor and Emily Burns battled it out to the end and almost needed a photo finish to separate them – their times 5.41.34 and 5.41.90. This race was really exciting to watch with brilliant efforts from all the girls. By filling 1^st 3^rd 4^th 7^th and 8^th places in the field of 14, there is surely cause for celebration at the depth of talent within the EDAC ranks.

ICING ON THE CAKE

Last girl to race was U15 rising star Kirsti Foster in the 1500m. The girls were mixed with a very strong U15 boys field and Kirsti did not take the race lightly despite carrying a slight niggle from hockey. She dominated the girls’ field and beat some of the boys too in her race to finish a strong 5’12 to provide a fitting finale to the night and to the track season.

A STAR STUDDED LAGANSIDE 10K

Paula Radcliffe was obviously the star of the show but EDAC had a few sparkling performances themselves. Paul Lloyd led the troops home and despite narrowly missing out on the elusive sub 40 he felt that he had given his all in the fast paced race. His time of 40.08 is tantalisingly close and his consistency has to be commended. Phillip Vint, another man who rarely misses a weekend race, came next in 41.10 with Liam Keenan not far behind in 41.36. Gavin Hynds in 41.45 had plenty to celebrate as this was a PB and proves that marathon training doesn’t always slow you down and must be great morale booster for him.

Gavin Hynds taking it in his stride

DEIRDRE vs. PAULA?

Deirdre Weatherall finished in 42.08 and was slightly disappointed with that. She was however cheered up by the fact that Paula Radcliffe had decided to run in the pack and was seen in chat with various folk en route. This gave Deirdre the chance to have a sprint finish to the line with the Women’s Marathon World Record Holder! Paula also has European and World Championship medals too numerous to mention as well the accolade of four times Olympian. Many would defer to such greatness but Deirdre is well known for her fresh faced enthusiasm and took no time to decide that having a result sheet with her name one place ahead of Paula’s was an opportunity unlikely to be repeated. After reading on Wikipedia that Deirdre is described as the foremost tragic heroine in Irish legend and probably its best-known figure in modern times she could probably argue that Paula should have been in awe of her rather than the other way round! This is the spirit that is key to Deirdre’s rise in the ranks and long may it continue! See table below showing Deirdre’s and Paula’s finishing positions on Sunday.

POS	Number	First Name	Last Name	M/F	Chip Time
160	844	Deirdre	Weatherall	F	00:42:09
161	1075	Louis	Fleming	M	00:42:16
162	688	Adam	Harvey	M	00:42:10
163	763	Daniel	Maxwell	M	00:42:19
164	1	Paula	Radcliffe	F	00:42:35

Deidre Weatherall hiding the pain well!

Liam Smyth – veteran in terms of longevity in these events clocked up a very respectable 44.42. Behind him another historic event was unfolding. Gavin McConvey came in to the finish line in 53.51 declaring that the last time he saw a sub 54 minute 10K was in 2004. Not bad going Gavin! Keep it up. Roisin Gaffney another reliable EDAC runner finished in 54.09 and for once found, despite her love of the sun, that the heat was oppressive and was glad to be done.

Liam Smyth deep in concentration

Gavin McConvey on lap 2 going strong

Who’s that with Roisin Gaffney at Laganside 10K on Sunday?

Gavin Hynds, Roisin Gaffney, Paula Radcliffe, Deidre Weatherall and Phillip Vint before the Laganside 10k

DONAL DOES THE DOUBLE

Donal Smith meanwhile had headed to Kildare on Saturday to take part in an a 5K run on Saturday evening in aid of the Injured Jockeys’ Fund – but having discovered that there was a 10K race nearby he decided in true horse lovers’ form to hedge his bets and do both. He did say afterwards that it was a lot for one day and he may need a few rest days but knowing Donal that won’t last for long.

Donal Smith at the Curragh Race Course – 5k in aid of Injured Jockeys’ Fund

No one from the Club made their way to Derry on Sunday morning for the Waterside Half Marathon which this year was also the NI and Ulster Half Marathon Championships.

WHAT’S AHEAD??

TUESDAY NIGHT IS MILL HILL MILE NIGHT

This will probably come too late for regular readers of the weekly papers but Tuesday is the night for the annual trek to Castlewellan for the lung busting, for some, Mill Hill Mile Challenge. This is a race that is, or should be, on everybody’s bucket list so if you’re going don’t forget you must register online beforehand. A donation to the charity on the night is all that is required.

KILLYLEAGH HALF MARATHON

Back on the fixture list again courtesy of the Daye brothers Atlas Running is the KIllyleagh Half Marathon with the option of a 10K for those who are less ambitious. Registration is in Killyleagh Football Club on the Comber Rd on Friday evening from 5.30 onwards with the races scheduled to start at 7.00 pm. The event is to raise money for Action Cancer. I don’t know what the route will be but it will definitely be scenic taking in country roads with views of Strangford Lough and Killyleagh Castle.

ENTRY FEES are as follows 10K:_ affiliated £14,Unaffiliated £16, Medal for all finishers.

HALF MARATHON :- affiliated £23, Unaffiliated £25, Medal and buff for all finishers. With Trophies 1st 2nd 3rd male and female in both races.Refreshments afterwards for all. For further information contact www.atlasrunning.co.uk or for online entries contact www.sientries.co.uk

RUN IN THE PARK
If you’re not runnning in Killyleagh on Friday or even if you are, report to Ward Park Bangor at 12.00 noon on Saturday 8 September for the beginning of the 24 hour Run in the Park, to either take part in, (for a while anyway) or to help with the marshaling etc. or just to support the runners. The event is a fundraiser for the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland Service and especially if you cannot get along to support perhaps you would consider making a donation at https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/runinthepark2018

Thank you.

Joe Quinn, Alison Caroll, Peter Morgan

3 September 2018

The Weekly News – 27/08/2018

Posted on 27/08/2018 by Neil McCartan

SLIEVE CROOB

One that almost got away is the Slieve Croob Challenge which took place on 13 August. I just noticed that Davy Foster recorded 45.11 and 7^th place for the 10K climb (twice up to the top and back) while Joanne wasn’t too far behind in 48.26 which gave her 3^rd placed Female and overall 14^th place.

NORTH DOWN OPEN MEETING on TUESDAY

Having brought some of his talented family to Bangor Sportsplex for the North Down Open Meeting on Tuesday 21^st August, Davy thought he might as well test his nerve on the track and found he quite enjoyed the new terrain. His time of 10.32.8 for the 3 K race was bang in the middle of the 25 runners in his heat but would have been worth 2nd place in the first heat that took place over the same distance.

LAUREN, LUCY and KIRSTI STAR

On the same evening Lauren Madine 2.34.3 not only won her heat of the 800 metres but also recorded the fastest time overall in the Girls Under13 category with Lucy Foster clocking 2.39.7 second fastest U13 on the night across the two heats. Lucy’s big sister Kirsti recorded the quickest U15 Girls time 2.36.0 which meant it was a very successful night all round.

Davy Foster with daughters Lucy and Kirsti at Bangor North Down AC Meet

STRANGFORD FESTIVAL 5 and 10K

This is one of the most popular of the local races during the Summer months and the hard working Festival Committee are to be praised for their efforts in putting on such an enjoyable event. Almost 300 runners took part this year, between the 5 and 10K races and the 5K was won by Peter Gracey from his brother James and East Down’s Mackenzie Murray only missed out on a podium place when he was edged into 4^th place by Maol Larkin, on the run in though his time of 21.51 was outstanding over the challenging course. It is a mix of road and trail with a good, few hills or as runners describe it perhaps more precisely “with a few, good hills!” But Mackenzie was not too disappointed as he picked up the 1^st Male Junior prize for his efforts. Emily Burns, who is taking every opportunity to keep fit while the club is on its Summer break, again proved what good shape she is in by claiming the 1^st Female Junior prize in 25.11. Gillian Grant and Patricia Carson were two East Down newcomers who took part in the 5K and who will undoubtedly be itching for the next race to further improve their times.

Mackenzie Murray first Junior at Strangford 5K

AARON NAILS THE TOP SPOT

The 10K was won in fine style by East Down’s London based Aaron McGrady who is home for a few weeks and he was not really troubled in clocking 34.44 to finish over 2 minutes clear of second placed Nicky Napier unattached, 37.06 and third placed Sean McAllister St Peter’s AC 37.32. The Women’s race was won in equally impressive style by Jog Lisburn’s Karen Wilton in 38.04, taking overall 4^th place and one of only 11 finishers to break the 40 minute barrier, perhaps an indication of just how tough the route was?

There was plenty of EDAC representation as shown in the table below.

Pos		First Name	Surname	M/F	Cat	Chip Time
1	289	Aaron	McGrady	M	MO	0:34:44	10k
22	210	Dermot	Cahill	M	M35	0:42:38	10k
24	317	Colin	Shields	M	M40	0:43:03	10k
25	288	Joe	Napier	M	M40	0:43:20	10k
46	272	Gareth	Kelly	M	M35	0:47:26	10k
50	256	Gareth	Reilly	M	M40	0:48:41	10k
53	335	Donal	Smith	M	M45	0:48:54	10k
56	298	John	Manley	M	M50	0:49:18	10k
77	329	Catherine	Gilchrist	F	F40	0:52:34	10k
82	297	Janine	Murray	F	FO	0:52:45	10k
86	338	Eamon	Kelly	M	M45	0:53:09	10k
96	745	Adam	Morgan	M	MO	0:54:27	10k
118	302	Éimear	Degan	F	FO	0:59:29	10k
123	301	Cathy	Flinn	F	F35	1:00:28	10k

ADAM DOUBLES UP

Worth mentioning is the performance of Adam Morgan who set off to run the 5K and clearly found it much too short so he carried on and completed his first ever 10K. Not only that but his time of 54.27 should be reduced considerably as he left the start line at least 3 minutes after the 10K field. So Well Done Adam.

SENIORS TREBLE UP

I have also been asked to mention that several of the East Down contingent, including Dermot Cahill and Gareth Kelly, had already run over 13 miles before they did the 10K, as part of their build up to the Dublin marathon, though it still begs the question “What took you so long?” And a big welcome to Joe Napier and Eamon Kelly who were first timers in the East Down “colours”

RATHLIN RUN on SATURDAY

On Saturday, Gavin McConvey, apparently working through some sort of bucket list, duly completed the 10 Mile Rathlin Run, having caught the early morning crossing from Ballycastle. He used this as his excuse for only spectating on Friday night in Strangford, so this is just to let you know that all these things are checked out Gavin!! His comment that he found it a real challenge coincided with my own memory of running the 10 miles there in 2002, that it was a tough, undulating though very scenic course, and his time of 1.41.42 was more than respectable in these circumstances. My other abiding memory of Rathlin is that there was only one tree on it, though perhaps there are more now? Or perhaps there is one less?

MULTI-EVENTS COMPETITION at MPT on SUNDAY

Again it was the Junior members who took part in this event on Sunday where everyone got the chance to participate in 5 events and were scored on their performances in each as in the pentathlon. The events were 70 metres Hurdles, Shot Putt, High Jump, Long Jump and 800 metres.

LAUREN & KIRSTI TOP OF THE PILE

Lauren Madine was in great form throughout and won the Girls U13 with a really versatile performance, picking up 2037 points in the process.

Anna Gardiner and Lucy Foster also competed and scored 1470 and 1129 points for 6^th and 12^th places respectively. Kirsti Foster also gave her all in the Girls Under 15 competition where she scored 1295 points and posted the fastest 800 metres time on the night. In fact her time was not only best in her age group and the Under 13 category also but was bettered by only one runner in the Under 17 category.

This must be a great boost for all the coaches who are involved with the Juniors and represents a tremendous breadth of talent in the Club.

Lauren Madine – 1st in U13 Multi Event Championships in Mary Peter’s Track

Anna Gardiner, Lucy Foster, Lauren Madine and Kirsti Foster at Mary Peter’s Track

SUNDAY in CARRICK

Eimear Degan travelled all the way to Carrickfergus on Sunday afternoon for the Storming of the Castle 10K and recorded a PB of 54.14 – over 5 mins quicker than her time in Strangford on Friday night.

Storming the Castle 10k in Carrickfergus – Matthew Brown and Eimear Degan

AND IN ARMAGH AND KILDARE

Stephen Heasley travelled to Armagh on Sunday to take part in a 4 x 10K route with an extra loop to complete another marathon, an event in which Linda Cunningham also participated while….

…..A little further afield Phillip Vint ran very well to take 2^nd place in the Staplestown Marathon in a time of 3.16 while Helen was more than pleased with her 2.08 in the Half marathon.

Phillip Vint 2nd at Staplestown Marathon

That’s all for now folks.

Joe Quinn & Alison Carroll

27 August 2018

STEPHEN SHANNON – An Appreciation

Posted on 23/04/2013 by Alison Carroll

Running events over the weekend were overshadowed by the news on Friday night of the tragic and untimely death of former East Down club stalwart Stephen Shannon. The entire community was shocked and deeply saddened at the loss of the “big lad”. And Stephen was a big man, 6′ 3” to be exact, and one we all had to look up to, but if ever a man deserved the accolade “ A Gentle Giant” it was him. He only took up running seriously about 4 years ago but, possessing a natural ability and a keen turn of foot, he rapidly established a reputation as one of East Down’s top men and as a competitor to be reckoned with. I don’t think he realised just how good he was but I have no doubt he could have gone on to establish himself as a top quality club runner and a force to be reckoned within his age category for many years. Sadly however it was not to be. Continue reading →

East Down AC

Tag Archives: Bangor Track

The Weekly News – 03/09/2018

The Weekly News – 27/08/2018

STEPHEN SHANNON – An Appreciation