2018

Posted on 10/12/2018 by Neil McCartan

MIGHTY PERFORMANCE BY MCGRADY AT MIGHTY OAKS

After missing out on competing in the Seeley Cup race last weekend due to flying problems, East Down’s Aaron McGrady was really champing at the bit as he waited at the start of the Mighty Oaks Cross Country league fixture in Cookstown on Saturday. And he literally took off from the gun to quickly assert his class, using his pent up frustration from last Saturday to jet propel him around the demanding and very muddy course, until he made a safe landing across the finish line, his time of 23.29 left him well clear of his nearest challengers, Neil Weir Willowfield 24.25 and Vincent McKenna Acorns in 24.26.

Dee Murray and Aaron McGrady pre XC

AARON’S PROFILE

Some of you are probably wondering who is Aaron McGrady anyway. Well he was a talented junior with EDAC and won triple jump tiles in the Young Athletes League before he went to university and settled in London after finding employment there.

He was very much into cycling before re-discovering his passion for running and he re-joined East Down AC again 2 years ago. He is also a member of Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets AC which won the South of England Athletic Association Fell Running Championships on the Isle of Wight in September, with Aaron winning the individual title. These championships comprise 3 aces in 2 days, with the first 2 races on Saturday and the third and longest, on Sunday.

Aaron McGrady on the ups and downs of the South Eastern AA Fell Running Championships on the Isle of Wight, where he won the overall title.

TOUGH GOING IN THE ISLE of WIGHT

The races are not by any means easy individually, or collectively, the first being 3.8 K but with an ascent of 235 metres, the second 12K with an ascent of 443 metres and the third, on the following day, 21K with a 487m ascent. Aaron was 1^st and 2^nd respectively in the first two of the races and he calculated that he could win overall if he finished in 4^th place in the third race on Sunday morning. His eventual 3^rd place left him overall winner and as he said afterwards “It was a beautiful setting and some very hard racing, good mental preparation for the XC season coming up.” How prophetic that was!

AMSTERDAM HALF MARATHON

To further emphasise his versatility he ran the Amsterdam Half marathon on 21 October and came home in 9^th place posting a superb 1.12.09 which would have placed him 4^th in the recent Belfast Half and 6^th in the Waterside Half in Derry, so he is a top quality runner over all terrains.

JUNIORS AT COOKSTOWN

Lauren Madine was the only female from the Club juniors to take part in and duly won the U14 Girls race at the Cookstown venue and ever dependable Mackenzie Murray was the only Boy from the Club in the Under 16 Boys race, and while he found the going very tough he’s learning by the week and I am confident that he’ll develop into a top class runner.

Lauren Madine (centre) getting medal for winning the U14 Girls at Mighty Oaks AC

LADIES GET FIRST POINTS ON THE BOARD

East Down’s Ladies were much better represented than the men as they fielded a team of 6 and were more than pleased to place 5^th overall and to register their first place points of the current League campaign. The team scorers were Catherine O’Connor 10^th, Niamh Kellett 12^th, Deirdre Weatherall 20th and Clare Carson 54^th giving a total of 96 points. As if to emphasise the importance of overtaking everyone possible, right to the very end, that total was matched by Acorns AC, but because their 4^th scorer had finished higher than the East Down 4^th placed runner, Acorns get the better team position. In truth, the 3^rd placed team had only 6 points less than either Acorns or EDAC so with a few extra places it could so easily have been 3^rd place. But the EDAC squad are delighted with their achievement anyway. The other two participation point scorers were Janine Murray and Ella Carroll.

Clare Carson, Catherine O’Connor, Niamh Kellett, Deirdre Weatherall, Janine Murray, Ella Carroll before they hit the hills and muck at Mighty Oaks XC, Cookstown

TOUGH GOING IN LANZAROTE TOO!

Rising star Gordy Graham headed for the sun in Lanzarote to make his latest marathon effort and with typical cussedness the weather promptly stuck two fingers up at him by providing a very strong headwind on the out and back course, the sting in the tail being that it was in the homeward half. Nevertheless he should be happy with his time of 2.58.30.

PAUL CONTINUES HIS GREAT RUN OF FORM

Paul Lloyd, hard on the heels of his PB in last week’s Seeley Cup 10K, didn’t rest on his laurels, taking on the fairly unique Half Marathon around the motor racing circuit at Kirkistown. In a relatively small field of just 9 runners he ran very well to take second place in 1.31.54.

Paul Lloyd wearing his Run Kirkistown medal – 2nd in the Half Marathon

JINGLE ALL THE WAY for the CHILDREN’S HOSPICE

On Sunday Callum Kent and Roisin Gaffney showed the true Christmas spirit by heading to Stormont to take part in the Jingle All the Way 5K organised by the NI Hospice Care Team to raise money for the Children’s Hospice. Callum finished 9^th of 359 runners in 20.49 and Roisin was a little further back, in 81^st place in 27.49.

An excellent cause, so well done for giving it your support.

Roisin Gaffney and Callum Kent at Stormont – Hospice Santa 5K

FLAHAVAN’S PRIMARY SCHOOLS CROSS COUNTRY.

On Tuesday past several of East Down’s juniors representing their schools in the Flahavan’s Porridge Primary School Cross Country League meeting in Donard Park Newcastle, managed to qualify for the NI Finals as individuals, based on their placings in the 2 preliminary rounds.

Jodi 1^st and 2^nd and Kari Foster 4^th and 4^th from Spa Primary School and Erin Moore

from St Patrick’s Primary School Saul, with two 10^th place finishes qualified as the top 3

of the 5 individuals outside the qualifying teams. Unfortunately Alex Robinson was not

so fortunate for the boys, as after a slow start, he could not find his way far enough

through the traffic in a field of over 125 runners to take a qualifying position.

NEXT WEEK

Next weekend will see the EDAC Juniors on the road again as they travel to participate in the All Ireland Uneven Age Group Cross Country Championships at Navan Racecourse.

The Seniors have an equally difficult and lengthy journey to participate in the North West Cross Country in Gransha Park, Derry but at least they only have to run 6K when they get there. To paraphrase an old First World War marching song “It’s a long trip to run in Derry”. And it’s unique too in that everyone runs together, men, women, older men and women and junior men and women. It is literally an entire human race!

Joe Quinn

10 December 2018

The Weekly News – 15/10/2018

Posted on 15/10/2018 by Neil McCartan

EVEN CALLUM CANNOT DAMPEN SPIRITS

There were 276 runners in Saintfield 10K organised by Atlas Running in conjunction with Saintfield Striders and in aid of the Air Ambulance NI. The forecast was not good and the reality was not much better. Heavy showers and lying water, the tail end of Storm Callum, made this one for the brave hearted and EDAC had a few hardy souls turn out.

10K RUNNERS

In 115th place was Lawrence Cullen – 53 minutes exactly and a number of years since his original debut for the Club way back when he was a boy. He was followed by Donal Smith 53.26 who had a sibling tussle with his brother Patrick 53.08. Patrick is yet to join any club but Donal is doing his best to encourage him to follow the example of their sister Suzy who has newly joined up to EDAC. Suzy gave herself a stiff challenge by completing the Orangefield Parkrun on Saturday morning and then travelling to Saintfield where she ran the 5K in 31.41. Family bonding at its best! Well Done Suzy!

Patrick, Suzy and Donal Smyth – Family fun at Saintfield

THE GIRLS WERE THERE TOO!

Tracy McCaughey also completed the 10K in a time of 55.49 while Eimear Degan ran with Gareth Amos for good company and came in a joint 56.55. They said the hills were bad enough without the rain and yet in the photos they are smiling so it can’t have been all bad! Linda Cunningham also braved the elements for a soggy outing, just to prove that she also does short!

Tracy McCaughey, Gareth Amos, Lawrence Cullen and Eimear Degan after the Saintfield 10k

5K RUNNERS

The 5K distance attracted 127 runners and was won overall by Kyle Ross of Ballydrain Harriers in a nifty 17.58. The female winner Rachel Gibson of North Down AC was third overall in a time of 18.52. EDAC Junior Lauren Madine undeterred by the stiff competition ran a determined 21.45 to get 2nd female and Susie Cave (22.02) Lagan Valley completed the female podium.

Susie Cave (3rd) Rachel Gibson NDAC (1st) and Lauren Madine EDAC (2nd) in Saintfield 5K

PAUL MASTERED AT THE MASTERS TRIAL

Paul Burns was the only EDAC representative in the NI Master’s Cross Country Trials, held at Queen’s Playing Fields on Saturday morning, from which the representative teams for the British X/C Championships are chosen. With the top 6 finishers in each category guaranteed selection, Paul faced a stiff task as his Age Group 40 – 44 , is one of the toughest and most competitive. In the event he ran very well, completing the 8K course in 28.52, but it was only good enough for 11^th place in his category. However he is undeterred and will return again next year when he will be in the 45–49 bracket. My advice is to look (or wait) for a category with 6 or less in it to come along! I’ve been waiting for years and even now in the 70-74 category, my wait (and unfortunately because of the inactivity, my weight) goes on!

FLAHAVAN’S PRIMARY SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY SERIES

During the week the Flahavans XC for Primary Schools kicked off at the Henry Jones Playing Fields in the Castlereagh Hills. EDAC’s runners Jodi Foster was the clear winner of the Primary Girls with sister Kari close behind in 4th. Erin Moore came 10th in the Primary Girls and Ella Telford, 46^th of 114, also ran for her school Downpatrick’s Primary, though with only 2 runners, they were unable to record a team score. Jodi and Kari’s places, combined with their teammates in 21^st and 22^nd places put Spa Primary at the top of the league after race one with 48 points.

Alex Robinson ran very well to come 7th in the Primary Boys’ Race. A great start to the campaign.

Jodi Foster 698 taking the lead in the Primary Girls’ Race

Alex Robinson 759 battling it out in the Primary Boys’ Race at Flahavans xc.

NEXT WEEK

Everyone is looking forward eagerly to the opening round of the 2018/19 Cross Country League, which takes place on Saturday at the Billy Neill Playing Fields when Ballydrain Harriers stage their annual Comber Cup fixture. Races begin at 12.00noon, so see you all there!

AND DON”T FORGET – DATE FOR THE DIARY

The Annual Senior Awards and Social Night will take place Saturday 10th November at the Club Rooms and by now you should have received an email inviting you to attend. Guests accompanying members are also welcome. Do let us know if this is not the case to allow us to check our contact records. Please reply to the email or get in touch with Janine 07821 698695 by October 30th to confirm numbers and dietary requirements in order to inform the caterer. There will be a buffet supper, complimentary drink on arrival, music, awards and all for a tenner. What more could you want? It is carefully timed long enough after Dublin Marathon so that those who took part will be fit to celebrate and also that the stories told will encourage others to give it a go rather than put them off! It is also a good chance to egg each other on to sign up to some challenges for the season ahead.

Nominations for awards can be emailed to membership@eastdownac.co.uk or left in an envelope with any Committee Member. (Male/Female/Most Improved Male/Female and Club person based on the last 12 months). Nominations should be forwarded by November 2nd.

Joe Quinn & Alison Carroll

15 October 2018

The Weekly News – 08/10/18

Posted on 08/10/2018 by Alison Carroll

GOLDEN PERFORMANCES AT ROAD RELAYS RESULTS IN BRONZE MEDALS FOR EDAC LADIES

Saturday was a beautiful day, weather wise for everyone and certainly performance wise for the Senior Ladies Team from East Down AC (EDAC) as they turned in a 4 star display of top quality running in the NI and Ulster Road Relay Championships, superbly organised and hosted by Orangegrove AC in Victoria Park, Belfast. Having finished outside the medals in 4^th place last year, this year’s trio of Catherine O’Connor, Deirdre Weatherall and Caroline McNabb were determined to reach the podium this time. And reach it they did in impressive style foiled only by an unbeatable trio from Queen’s University AC, comprising Rebecca Henderson, Sinead Sweeney and Emma Mitchell, whose individual times of 11.27, 11.23 and the amazing 10.30 by Emma, were the top 3 best times recorded on the day and enabled them to smash the existing record of 34.30 by 1 minute and 11 seconds and North Down A whose first and 3^rd leg runners ran the 3^rd and 4th fastest legs of the day, 11.33 and 11.35 respectively. So the competition was top drawer and was matched commendably by Catherine’s first leg 11.36 which saw her hand over to Deirdre Weatherall in third place.

Senior Women 1 QUB AC 2 North Down AC 3 East Down AC – Catherine O’Connor, Caroline McNabb and Deidre Weatherall

DEIRDRE KEEPS HER BONE

Anyone who knows Deirdre knows that she is a fighter of considerable ability and one who won’t easily let her bone go with the dog if she can help it. So it was with great pride that the assembled supporters from EDAC saw her cross the finish mat at the end of her 2 miles in an unbelievable 12.49, which not only held onto 3^rd place but gave the anchor leg runner Caroline McNabb an unassailable advantage over the 4^th place team. So Caroline, knowing she could not overtake either of the two teams ahead of her, simply ran quickly enough to retain that advantage. The overall team total was 36.48, which represents an average of 6.08 minutes per mile over the 6 miles. So Well Done all you ladies, this was a truly inspiring run by every one of you – so the only way to top that performance is to go one (or perhaps even 2) better next year!.

EDAC Senior Women’s Teams

EDAC MASTERS TAKE PART IN THE SENIOR

EDAC ladies had 2 other teams in the Senior race, the EDAC B Team, Janine Murray, Joanne Foster, Edie Carroll 41.27 placing 12^th and the C Team, Alison Carroll, Ella Carroll, Cheryl Denvir 46.36 in 26^th out of the 30 teams which finished. Both teams had to take part in the “Open” Senior race as at least one member in each team was too young to qualify as a Master, i.e. Under 35. But I’ll leave you to work out who they were! So all in all a very special day – really a Ladies Day to remember!

Earlier in the day the Master Ladies race had an EDAC Ladies team comprising Clare Carson, Roisin Gaffney and Marguerite Robinson placed a commendable 40^th out of 59 teams completing with splits of 14.28, 16.35 and 16.23 respectively giving a team total of 47.24. This was a very good performance by all three women as they are primarily long distance runners, and in Clare’s case she is in the middle of training for the Dublin marathon, a mere 3 weeks away. Take a Bow Ladies.

EDAC Master’s Womens Team

EDAC MEN

There were significant contributions to the Mens’ Races too where Men’s Captain Dee Murray shuffled his pack expertly to make all the teams competitive, at the same time rueing the absence for one reason or another of top runners Brendan Teer, Aaron McGrady and James O’Hare. But injuries cannot be ruled out at any time so well done those who stepped in to fill the gaps, including the evergreen Dee, who appropriately ran the D leg himself, in the Senior team. Neil McCartan set the bar very high with a blistering first leg run, literally running himself into the ground as he fell across the line in 9.42, in joint 5^th place with this year’s Jimmy’s Ten winner Mark McKinstry, and the leading trio only seconds ahead. Neil recovered from what he described afterwards as a mistake in not eating sufficiently beforehand and is raring to go in the coming weeks. He is already looking forward to next year and a chance to make amends.

GORDY, MATTHEW and DEE

Second leg runner for EDAC was Gordy Graham, who had already clocked 75 miles in training this week as he also sets his sights on Dublin, and he too ran his socks off and maintained EDAC’s position in the top 6 as he handed over to the baby of the team Matthew McGrattan who is a track specialist and one of the young guns who will form the backbone of the club in years to come. He too hammered out 2 splendid laps, clocking 12.10, before handing over to Club captain Dee Murray, who didn’t disappoint either as he sailed round the 2 miles in 11.52 to post a total of 44.32 and claim 12^th place. Eight miles in 44.32 is 5.34 per mile or “some running” as we say here. So well done Lads, I’m proud of you.

MENS MASTERS

The men also mounted a strong challenge in the Master’s race where Martin Willcox 11.18 made an early statement of intent to all comers and handed over to Paul Burns who made up several places to set the fastest time of this quartet and gave James Savage, great to see him back again, a chance to consolidate his position. Again lack of race fitness could be used as an excuse for not putting in the effort required, but James ran with much of his old speed to hand over to Davy Foster, having clocked 11.48 for the 2 laps. Davy didn’t disappoint either as he chased all the way to bring the A team home in 45.38, recording 11.20 for his leg, and taking a super 7^th place overall.

The B team, Paul Lloyd, Mark McDowell, Gareth Reilly and Gavin Hynds also applied itself well to the task and after laps of 12.07, 12.11, 12.58 and 12.46 respectively their total of 50.30 resulted in 30^th place and as deserving of the accolades as any of the aforementioned winners. EDAC were not finished yet as they managed to produce a Team C made up of Stephen Heasley, Tom McClean, Donal Smith and 65 year old Tom Dowey. The 4 men ran well taking 12.28, 14.12, 15.02 and 15.35 respectively for a total of 57.16 and 53^rd place out of the 61 teams that finished.

EDAC Men’s Masters Team

JUNIORS IN WINNING ACTION TOO

Earlier the Juniors had been involved in Primary and Age Group races with the following results :-Primary Girls Jodi Foster 2^nd with good performances from Kelsey Murray, Erin Moore, Caragh Moore and Kari Foster. It was a hectic pace and a packed course so they did well to stay upright and arrive home safely.

Jodi Foster 2nd in Primary Girls

u15 Girls Podium| Kirsti Foster (EDAC) Gold, Tara McDonagh (NDAC) Silver, Lauren Madine (EDAC) Bronze

Alex Robinson ran a strong race so was a little annoyed to be pipped on the line for 3^rd place taken by surprise in the last few metres in the Primary school Boys race although big brother Ollie had possibly even more cause for annoyance having finished in the Under 13 Boys race minus one shoe!

Alex Robinson (Primary)

Lucy Foster won the Under 13 Girls race which was a huge achievement as she had a clear lead from the start and looked smooth as she came in ahead of the other 25 girls in her age group. A fantastic entry and a great win!. Older sister Kirsti won the Under 15 race also with a good gap from 2nd. EDAC clubmate Lauren Madine took third place. Mackenzie Murray ran in the U15 boys and was plumb in the middle of the pack at the finish. Lauren then took on a second weekend challenge on Sunday when she was first Female finisher in the Charity 5K at Cultra.

Jodi Foster 2nd in Primary Girls

Primary Girls Kelsey Murray Erin Moore Caragh Moore Kari Foster Jodi Foster

DECLAN IN HUNGARY

Declan Teague continued his travels around Europe, pre Brexit, with a visit to the Hungarian capital Budapest to take part in their annual Marathon, his 54^th in total and although he had sustained an injury to his hamstring during the Belfast Half Marathon 2 weeks ago he managed to get round the course in 4 hours and 4 minutes. He was not overly impressed with the time but from an eve of race prediction that he would have to walk most or all of it, he is surely more than happy to have finished albeit as he put it “on one leg and 10 ibuprofen later”. He was mightily impressed with what he described as “ a superb event, which would make a great club trip, providing as it does a 5K (which his wife Tracey did) and 10K option on the Saturday, as well as the Full Marathon, a 2 or 4 person Marathon Relay and a 30K distance on the Sunday along a flat route mostly along the Danube”. So that’s probably where a lot of us will be heading next year, but only if it doesn’t interfere with the Road Relays!!

Declan Teague after Budapest Marathon

VINTS IN LUSK

Helen and Phillip Vint enjoyed the unseasonably good weather on Saturday too as they warmed up for watching the Rugby match on Sunday afternoon by taking part in the Lusk Festival of running which includes a full marathon, a Half marathon and a 30K which is about 20 miles. Coincidentally both Helen and Phillip finished in exactly the same time, 3hrs and 29 minutes, Phillip having ran 26.2 miles and Helen the shorter 20 miles and were doubly delighted.

AND FINALLY

Gareth Amos and his 3 daughters plus Eimear Degan attended the Bangor Warrior event on Sunday, the purpose of which seems to be to get down and dirty, if appearances are anything to go by! By all accounts they enjoyed the experience.

Warrior Assault Race in Bangor – Mia Proctor- Amos, Eimear Degan, Matthew Brown, Gareth Amos and Keira Proctor-Amos

WELL DONE EVERYONE!

Joe Quinn & Alison Carroll

8 October 2018

The Weekly News – 01/10/2018

Posted on 01/10/2018 by Neil McCartan

ONLY 3 IN ACTION?

In a competition to ascertain what the lowest turnout from East Down runners over a weekend in recent years then, last weekend’s total of 3 at 2 separate events, must really be the winner. However most can probably be excused as it was the final weekend of “getting in a 20 miler” in preparation for the Dublin City marathon on the last Sunday of this month. (See apologetic humble pie being eaten before end of this report!)

JIMMY’S TEN WINNERS FILL 3 of TOP 6 PLACES in BANGOR

The 2 events in question were the Bangor Classic 10K, which this year incorporated the Ulster and NI 10K Road Racing Championships, and the Ford 5K in Newcastle. The former event had over 1000 entries and almost 1000 finishers and had probably the best front end in terms of quality runners, of any race in recent times, in which the top three broke 31 minutes and the top 10 all broke 33 minutes. The Derry based Kenyan Gideon Kipsang, 2015 winner of Jimmy’s Ten, who last weekend won the Belfast City Half Marathon only just got up on the line to beat Kevin Seaward, who was a superb 4^th in the recent Commonwealth Games Marathon, both being credited with the same time 30.21. Close behind came Declan Reed 30.56 in third place ahead of Mark McKinstry 31.14 who won Jimmy’s Ten this year, followed by Scott Rankin in 31.56 and Ben Branagh 32.00, who won Jimmy’s Ten in 2017.

PAUL IN THE 40s

The sole East Down representative in the race was Paul Lloyd, who came agonisingly close to breaking the 40 minute barrier for the first time, clocking 40.06, a mere second per mile deficit! But come it will Paul, possibly some time when you’re least expecting it. The secret of success is to relax and try not to think about it. Don’t go out every week with the aim of breaking through and don’t be too hard on yourself – there are those who dream of the times you are clocking now! Perhaps the Saintfield 10K on 13^th October could be the one? This race organised by Atlas Running on behalf of Saintfield Striders was a big success last year and promises to be even bigger and better this year. Entry details can be found at https://www.atlasrunning.co.uk Failing that the Seeley Cup in Ormeau Park on 1^st December is a flat fast course which may tick the PB box.

Paul Lloyd Paul Lloyd at Bangor, not looking too disappointed at missing out on a sub 40 time.

FORD 5K COMES HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Paul Burns and Callum Kent were the lone raiders from East Down to try out the new route which was widely publicised as much flatter and faster than last year.

Here’s what Paul had to say afterwards-

“I thought the race itself was really good – it was a flat, fast course through the centre of Newcastle finishing with a lap of the Gaelic pitch, well supported and well marshalled. The organisers provided great refreshments afterwards with hot food and sandwiches, tea & coffee, etc. and also some very impressive looking trophies. It deserved better support but I understand that it’s hard to compete against free Parkruns all over the country on the same day. But it’s definitely a race I would recommend and do again.” Paul’s time of 17.35 and 6^th place overall was a PB, made all the more satisfying as he was still feeling the effects of last Sunday’s Belfast City Half Marathon and a tough hill session during training on Thursday night.

Callum Kent 81 and Paul Burns at the Ford 5K on Saturday.

CALLUM ALSO ON THE PB TRAIL and CROSS COUNTRY TOO!

Another super run saw Callum Kent not only land the trophy for 1^st Juvenile to finish but also set a new PB of 20.05 into the bargain. Well done to him and he tells me he is looking forward to the upcoming cross country season which will give him the opportunity to build up some considerable strength in his legs to improve his road and track running speed next year. Good luck to him in that.

EVEN MORE RUNNING THAN I THOUGHT

I have also heard since I began writing this that some other Club members did in fact run at the weekend, several taking part in Parkruns in preparation for next Saturday’s Relay races in Victoria Park and elsewhere. So my apologies to anyone who was offended by my opening remarks, if you’re still reading this. Neil McCartan set a new Parkrun PB of 15.26, though not a 5K PB, in that very venue on Saturday, an indication of his form at the moment. So watch out all comers on Saturday, EDAC are on the move.

RACE TO TRAIN?

Clare Carson ran the 3/4 marathon in Ballybofey, Donegal on Sunday. She is going well in her lead up to Dublin and her tack of getting in the long miles by entering events seems to be working as she completed in 2 hours 50 minutes. She has found that racing breaks up the tedium and has produced some good performances on the way. I have to say that Clare’s philosophy exactly matches mine in this respect. If you’re training for a marathon, racing a slightly shorter distance than your target e.g. a half marathon or even 10K, faster than your planned time is an ideal way to keep the boredom away and to fine tune your fitness.

EDIE IN SEARCH OF MORE VARIETY?

And of course there are things other than running to do at weekends to keep your fitness at a high level, like taking part in triathlons for instance! Edie Carroll added a couple more disciplines to her training recently in order to prepare for her first triathlon. The event was the “Tri-gether Ladies Only Triathlon” hosted by 247 Triathlon Club in Letterkenny. It was a huge success with 100 females of all ages turning out to race on the day. There were 2 distances of pool swim – 400m or 750m with the same bike (20K) and run (5K) courses for both classes. Edie having only recently come to swimming opted for the shorter swim and having conquered that challenge in under 9 minutes, she cycled the fastest bike split of the day and had a decent “off the bike run” giving her second place overall. It was a well organised event with a very encouraging organising team and worth considering for anyone wanting to cross train for their running season. Well Done Edie.

Edie Carroll strides out on her way to 2nd place overall in the triathlon I Letterkenny on Sunday.

EARLIER IN THE WEEK

Mackenzie Murray running for St Colmcille’s High School, Crossgar secured 2nd place in the Junior Boys age group at NMDDC Schools’ XC which was held at Kilbroney Forest Park mid-week. He ran a tactical race sitting in 3rd for a long way then he and the boy who had been in second went for a late surge and passed the previous leader. It was an exciting race and one which will give Mackenzie the incentive to race to the line every time. Well done! I have been unable to find any published results of this event on the NM&DDC site or elsewhere, so if you’re annoyed about not getting a deserved mention here then why not report what you’ve done each week directly to me? My email address is jaykwin69@gmail.com and my telephone number is 07398514122.

East Down’s Mackenzie Murray smiles after winning the Silver medal for his school St Colmcille’s Secondary in Crossgar

INDUCTION NIGHT

On Monday Night past EDAC held an Induction Night for our current Junior members. We looked back at the achievements that have been made by various teams and individuals throughout the last 12 months and commended good attendance and consistent efforts at training sessions. The young athletes were shown a training plan going into the XC season and all received an EDAC buff to wear in the colder weather ahead. It was fantastic to see so many young people committing themselves to the sport and keen to represent the club. It was also heartening to see parents prepared to add their names to the rota to help the process run smoothly. It takes a lot of manpower to organise a junior section but the atmosphere on Monday Night was a just reward. Here’s to the future!

Some of East Down’s Junior members pictured at the Club’s Induction night on 24 September.

Joe Quinn & Alison Carroll

1 October 2018

The Weekly News – 24/09/2018

Posted on 24/09/2018 by Neil McCartan

CARRY ON UP THE CAUSEWAY 10K, HALF, MARATHON or ULTRA

Stephen Heasley took on the ultra which starts on Benone Strand and goes to Portballantrae then out to Ballintoy and returns to Portballantrae – 40 miles of madness which he said was “somewhat” eased by the scenery, which he clearly wasn’t spending much time looking at to judge by his time of 8h 25m!! Linda Cunningham completed the marathon distance Portballantrae to Ballintoy and back in 6h 26m. Sean Sealey (in the company of his wife Susan) stuck with running the mere 13.1 miles Half together with perennial competitors Eithne McGrattan and Bernice McCann who both completed 4.06.01,while Sean and Susan finished in 3.15.09. Though the weather was perfect, on this type of terrain the running is never easy and the times are purely incidental.. WELL DONE ALL!

DOUBLE DIPPERS

Sean was one of 4 members who pushed the boat out by doing back to back events. He also tackled Belfast Half the day after Causeway this time in the company of the EDAC squad many of whom are on the build up to Dublin Marathon next month. He reckons that the supply of cakes and goodies at the Causeway event made Saturday good value for money as he made sure to avail of every opportunity at the feed stations. He attributes his ability to do the second event to this considered approach but doubts that he would have managed a third race today. Two is plenty!

Clare Carson and Kevin Kelly ran Dublin and Belfast Half Marathons on consecutive days. Clare managed an age group win in Dublin and said that Dublin event was very scenic as it was set within Phoenix Park. She felt that both events deserved commendation for the organisation.

BLACKROCK 4 MILES

On Saturday evening at the Stephen Carroll/Captain Mark Duffy Blackrock 4 Miler Donal Smith used it as a warm up for the Belfast Half the following day. His 31.16 was 7 minutes quicker than last year over the 2 lap route which is some improvement! Carmel Tumelty also continued her build up to peak fitness in the same event clocking 35.11 while Francis recorded 23.34.

BELFAST HALF MARATHON

The EDAC squads gathering in the Ormeau Park for the Belfast Half Marathon

The 6^th running of the Belfast City Half Marathon on Sunday morning was again blessed with ideal conditions as the predictions of weather people across the country failed to materialise and runners were greeted by a nippy but sunny morning. A light cool breeze also welcomed early arrivals but it was pleasant in the sun. And then at 9.00am the record numbers of over 4,000 took to the streets and the city came alive. Kenyan Gideon Kipsang had little trouble in defending his crown and led all the way to come home in 1.07.48, well ahead of 2^nd place Vincent McKenna Acorns AC 1.11.44 and 3^rd man to finish Karol Doherty Letterkenny AC 1.11.11, who was only just caught by McKenna on the run in.

GORDY LEADS WAY FOR EAST DOWN

A superb time of 1.15.33 by Gordy Graham was to set the marker for an extraordinary morning of running success for East Down athletes. Not only was it a PB but gained him an eye catching 11^th overall place. Other performances of note were Martin Willcox 1.21.03 and Paul Burns 1.21.34 closely followed by Davy Foster 1.24.09 and Dermot Cahill 1.26.46. Next man to finish was “little” Johnny Erskine who revealed what he has been doing since I last saw him running competitively for the juniors a few years ago, mainly growing into a strapping young man able to look down on most of us now. He practically set the tarmac alight with a tremendous time of 1.28.42, a really exciting run from a novice junior on his debut at the distance.

NIAMH STARS FOR THE LADIES

Just behind Johnny came Niamh Kellett 1.28.59 in 234^th place, our first lady to finish, and another battling performance by this tough as nails young woman. Deirdre Weatherall was our next lady finisher, setting a new PB of 1.32.22 and indeed I could go on all night writing about the PBs which were set up and also mentioning the great runs of Paul Lloyd, James Magennis, Kevin Kelly, Clare Carson, Cathy Burke, Mags Flynn, Tom McClean etc. etc. and how good it is to see Mark McDowell back looking fitter and stronger than ever, but time and space does not permit. You all know who you are and how you did. And all I can say is that I really enjoyed watching everyone not only running well but enjoying it too. My old legs were eager to join you but unfortunately not to carry me with them!!

Cathy Burke, Mags Flynn, Joanne Carson and Sean Sealey after the Belfast Half Marathon

HALLIE and KERRY’S FIRST HALF

Hallie Jennings the only EDAC runner I missed seeing flashing past on Sunday, though I also missed the leader and eventual winner leaving the Park too, I must have blinked at least twice, was excellent in her tackling and taming of the route as she completed her first ever Half Marathon. Not only that but her time of 1.45.32 was more than good enough to ensure she grabbed 981^st place in a field of over 4,000.

Kerry Sharvin-Hynds Gavin’s wife who “won” a place in the Half Marathon through her work in Translink had just 8 weeks to get from couch, basically doing nothing of a running nature at all to being able to run 13.1 miles. She displayed huge determination not just to undertake such a challenge but to complete it. While her time was probably the last thought in her head her achievement is right up there with all those runners who attained PBs. We actually believe that her time of 3.04.59 is phenomenal in the circumstances. So move over Gavin, Kerry is a comin’!!

Kerry Sharvin Hynds – delighted to finish her first half marathon

GREAT CRAIC

Overall the camaraderie at the club gazebo on Sunday before and after the event was the stand out feature for the EDAC contingent and bodes well for the X/C season ahead. It is indeed great to have a bit of craic with your fellow team mates. I didn’t get to join in with that due to marshalling duties elsewhere and my only ache today is in my throat which was hoarsened yesterday cheering on your achievements. Thank you all and Well done.

Joe Quinn & Alison Carroll

23 September 2018

The Weekly News – 17/09/2018

Posted on 17/09/2018 by Neil McCartan

2019 DEEP RIVER ROCK BELFAST CITY MARATHON on a SUNDAY!!

Great news this week with the announcement at the launch of the 2019 Deep River Rock Belfast City Marathon, that not only would there be a new, faster, flatter route but that for the first time the Marathon would take place on SUNDAY 5^th May 2019 in a long awaited break with tradition.

David Seaton Chairman of Belfast City Marathon Organising Committee made the announcement at Wednesday’s launch at the Glasshouse, Stormont Cottages, that the Belfast City Council, the churches and the traders in Belfast City centre had come together with the PSNI, Translink and the emergency services to agree with the Committee that the BCM like all the other big city marathons would move to Sunday. This, he added, would make life easier for shoppers and traders on the Bank Holiday Monday and also benefit the runners who would have the Monday free to relax and recover.

Officials and Sponsors representatives at Stormont launch of Brlfast City Marathon

Officials and Sponsors representatives at Stormont launch of Belfast City Marathon

WHAT WAS I DOING THERE?

Well as a low key member of the aforementioned Marathon Committee I’d been invited to several similar events in the past and not been able to attend but when I received the invitation to the 2019 launch the significance of the occasion was too much to resist. So I went along just to see who was going to be there and as well as Radio and TV personalities , Jackie Fullerton and Noel Thompson I had the privilege of meeting Commonwealth Gold Medallist and World Gymnastics Champion Rhys McClenaghan, who is coincidentally the Ambassador for AMH (See below). And a very pleasant and committed young man he is too, and also Shirley McCay a Silver Medallist in the Ireland Women’s Hockey Team which finished as runners- up in the recent World Championship in London.

Joe Quinn and Noel Thompson at BCM 2019 launch

CHARITIES

This year’s official charities are Belfast Arthroplasty Research Trust (BART); Cancer Focus NI; Stroke Association; Air Ambulance NI and Action Mental Health (AMH) so if you feel like helping raise money for one or more of these excellent charities, then take your pick. Though if you know about East Down AC you’ll probably know that the last mentioned is our much valued landlord and we’d appreciate if you chose AMH as your charity to support.

.BE PART OF HISTORY

So now it’s up to you – the RUNNERS. Especially those of you who complained over the years that it should always have been on Sunday and who wouldn’t run it until it was moved etc. etc. It has taken a long time and a lot of hard work on the part of Committee members and City Council officials to reach this milestone so now it’s up to you. Get out there and tell your friends, neighbours and indeed anyone you come across to train and get ready for this historic event, made even more attractive by having a completely new route, starting on Prince of Wales Avenue in the grounds of Stormont Estate with Parliament Buildings as a magnificent backdrop, and finishing in Ormeau Park.

FLAT and FAST??

The new route takes in all quarters of the city and is flatter and faster than ever before – so it’s right up there with the best of the other ones and suitable for PBs galore!. Though on a personal note I have to say that I always enjoyed the long haul up the Antrim Rd, it was a good place to make up some ground on the flat earth specialists. It always made me feel that all those hours running up hills around Downpatrick had not been in vain! Though I won’t miss the boring and featureless, not to mention, spectatorless run along the lough shore from Gideon’s Green and the soul-destroying Duncrue St/Link area which thankfully have been axed. However I reckon it’s only as fast as your legs can get you round it and as your “home” marathon it’s the one to go for. I did my PB there, many moons ago.

RUN FORREST RUN??

You would actually think I was going to run the race itself but unfortunately it is with a heavy heart that I have to admit it will not be possible. I would love to be able to take part in the race itself as I have completed all the earlier versions of the route and with it being on the Sunday too I will certainly be on the verge of tears at just having to watch. But then again I will be involved in assisting at some point on the course so I’ll still get my kicks wherever.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

To cater for all fitness levels, the event will include a Marathon/Wheelchair Race, Team Relay, 8 Mile Walk and Fun Run. An early entry rate will apply until 31^st October 2018

ENTRY DETAILS

Entries are NOW OPEN at www.belfastcitymarathon.com via the brand new MyTicket App. Details of the 2019 Marathon route can be found there also.

ENTRY FEES

MARATHON (UNREGISTERED RUNNERS)

Early Rate (ends 31st Oct) ………………………………………………£40

Middle Rate (ends 28th Feb) ……………………………………………£55

Final Rate (ends 12th Apr) ………………………………………………£65

MARATHON (REGISTERED RUNNERS)

Early Rate (ends 31st Oct) ………………………………………………£38

Middle Rate (ends 28th Feb) …………………………………………..£53

Final Rate (ends 12th Apr) ……………………………………………..£63

TEAM RELAY

(Teams of 5 in either All Male, All Female, or Mixed Categories)

Early Rate (ends 31st Oct) ………………………………………….£100

Middle Rate (ends 28th Feb) ……………………………………….£120

Final Rate (ends 12th Apr) ………………………………………….£140

RELAY LEGS

Leg A. Stormont Castle to Ormeau Park- — 6.9 miles

Leg B. Ormeau Park to Boucher Road — — 3.9 miles.

Leg C. Boucher Road to Falls Road ———- 4.5 miles.

Leg D. Falls Road to Duncairn Gardens —- 5.2 miles.

Leg E. Duncairn Gardens to Ormeau Park — 5.7 miles.

So why not get a team together if you’re not up to marathon distance yet and let them pick which leg they want to do? It couldn’t be easier. And get your entries in early to save some money – you can always donate the extra £s to you chosen charity?

TEN MILE RACE IN MAGHERAFELT “worth going back to”

Carmel Tumelty was the only EDAC runner who participated on home soil over the weekend when she travelled to Magherafelt for the Tafelta AC 10 mile race and was happy to record 1.36.38 as it was her first competitive outing following a break from running/training. It was made all the sweeter when she was awarded the prize for finishing 2^nd in the Female Over 45 category. The race was organised by Tafelta AC and it was their 1st race since they formed in 2016 starting and finishing at Meadowbank Sports Arena. The course itself was a tale of 2 halves – the 1st was relatively flattish with a few bumps in the road and the 2nd was full of climbs with sharp down hills but all in all it was a great event. Carmel and husband Francis were fulsome in their praise for the organisation of the race and the post race refreshments and also that the £800 pot of prize money which extended to 1st & 2nd in all Masters age groups was great for those runners who wouldn’t normally get close to winning a prize. Francis finished 9th overall in 1.02.26 which was good enough to take 2^nd place prize in the M45 category. Their final word on the event? It’s definitely a race we would go back to. So there’s one for the future for all those looking for a race somewhere different.

BERLIN MARATHON

Chris Smith travelled a little further than Carmel, to Berlin to be precise, where his presence frightened Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge to run the 26.2 miles faster than anyone else has ever done before, clocking 2.01.39. He still looked full of running at the finish line. Not to be outdone Chris too set a new PB, crossing the line in 3.29.01, which knocked over 4 minutes off his time in Dublin last October. So well done to him.

And while it’s still fresh in your mind, Chris, why not stick in your entry for Belfast 2019 now and go for an even faster PB? Or to everyone else reading this why not buy your husband/wife/partner/son/daughter/mother/father or even your worst enemy an entry now?? And save yourself some money if you do it now? Now there’s novel Christmas present idea!!

Chris Smith after the Berlin Marathon on Sunday 16 September 2019

Joe Quinn

17 September 2019

PS – My fellow scribe Alison Carroll has been sunning herself in Nice since last Thursday but she assures me she has not been idle all the time as she had to support husband Paul who was competing in an Ironman triathlon and who in spite of recent injuries which affected his training completed the event, which culminated with a Half Marathon run, in 5 .02.41. This placed him 120^th overall out of 2278 and 14^th out of 334 in his O/45 Age Group, which by any standards is a superb effort but given the heat which is a significant feature in the South of France at this time of year, it’s much better than that. Well done Paul & Alison as No.1 supporter.

The Weekly News – 10/09/2018

Posted on 10/09/2018 by Neil McCartan

MILL HILL MILE ( A PROXY RUN?)

As anticipated, there was a great turn out on Tuesday night for my favourite race of the year, the Mill Hill Mile, in Castlewellan. with entries just below the 100 mark. As you will notice my name doesn’t appear in the results which is down to the fact that I got my daughter to run it for me this year, RHIP or better AHIP (Age Has Its Privileges) as I am still incapacitated by my ongoing left knee problem. But not wanting to miss out on the fun of running up the Mill Hill, my daughter Karen kindly volunteered to step into my shoes, so to speak.

LAST MINUTE

It was very much a last minute thing as we arrived at the last minute before the race started, Karen hopped out halfway down Ballybannnon, where we were stuck fuming in the traffic while another of those damned road races was holding up all us angry drivers. So at the last minute Karen reached the back of the pack of runners just as the whistle / hooter? sounded.(Thanks again to the traffic jam I didn’t get close enough to hear what it was that started the race) and then she was off.

EVEN I WAS TIRED

It took me quite a while to overtake her (in the car) as she surged up the hill, trying to emulate me. I have to say it tired me out just watching all of the runners and I was indeed glad to see Karen cross the finish line in what was, for me, a very respectable 12.40. Well Done and Thank You Karen.

EDAC SUCCESS

But practically every other one of East Down’s 16 runners ended up with a winning place as, ably led by Paul Burns 4^th overall in 6.06 and first M40, the Robinson and Foster families, made it their benefit night. Oliver Robinson was the first Under 12 Boy to cross the line in 7.11 brother Alex was the first Under 10 Boy in 7.54, and Mum Marguerite claimed the prize for first Female Over 50 in 9.25. Callum Kent was close behind Oliver in 7.26. Mackenzie Murray posted a superb 6.42 to take the Boys Under 14 trophy.

Paul Burns – First EDAC home and third male overall

Hot and sunny at Larne 10k (234 runners in total) (Pictured: Seamus Savage)

FAMOUS FIVE FOSTER GIRLS

The Foster family went even better led by Dad Davy who was 8^th overall in 6.25 and 2^nd M40, only deprived of a prize by Paul’s effort. And then came the avalanche. Kirsti was the first of the five Fosters to complete the race, and she set the standard high with a time of 6.57 to take the Under 14 Girls title and was 4^th Female overall. Lucy clocked a splendid 7.01 for first Under 12 Girl, Jodi was next in 7.35 and first Under 10 Girl, with Kari only 24 seconds behind her and 2^nd Under 10. Lily then kept her end up by crossing the line in 8.45 to claim the 1st prize in the Girls Under 8 category.

A big turnout from EDAC at the annual Mill Hill Mile in Castlewellan

JAY’S THE STAR on his DEBUT

However they were not done yet. One young man, a brother of all the Foster girls was still out there doing his first ever Mill Hill Mile, and boy was he enjoying it! With a smile as broad as the Main St. he ran the entire way, happily chatting to mum Joanne and later re-united with his dad as he came into the finish funnel to the roar of the onlookers who crowded around. His time was 13.15, so why is it worthy of notice? Well it was Jay’s very first official race and his first go at the mile AND he’s ONLY 3 YEARS old. So welcome to the world of competitive running Jay, you’re a star already. There should have been a special award for him as he was running in the Under 8 Boys category!!

Jay the star at Mill Hill Mile

GORDY TAKES 5^TH PLACE IN LARNE 10K

EDAC had 3 runners head to the North Coast for the Larne 10k hosted by East Coast AC on Saturday. There were 234 runners taking part and Gordy Graham threw himself into the mix with pleasing results. He came 5th overall which is good going for a course with two fairly brutal hills on a hot day though Gordy thought that the weather conditions were almost perfect. He went out at a steady 5:30 pace and sensibly let the lead group go as they were closer to 5:00’s. He ran the whole way with Mark Smith (Mallusk Harriers) who finished sixth and was happy to outsprint him to the finish line even though both were given the same time 35.35. This was superb running bearing in mind that Stephen Scullion, just back from European action for Ireland had to set a new race record of 32.29 to beat second placed Ben Branagh 32.52 St. Malachy’s AC a winner of Jimmy’s Ten 2 years ago, and they are probably the top 2 road runners in the country right now. It was a new PB for the East Down man and as it came after a hard week’s training with no rest days, he had every reason to be more than happy with the result.

GAVIN and SEAMUS

Gavin McConvey was using the event as a birthday treat to himself and was happy to finish in 54.59. Seamus Savage went with no real aspirations as his training has been less consistent than he would have liked over the Summer but he managed to complete the course and said that he was glad that he had persevered. He found the second time up the hill a tough ask but said that it was a well organised event and he would return.

PAUL COMES UP SHORT?

Paul Lloyd was in Killyleagh on Friday night for the Atlas 10K and was 2nd overall which was an excellent result for this ever improving runner. Though his time 39.04 represented a new PB he doesn’t want to boast about it as he reckons the course was “short”. I say just accept it Paul as it’s easier than trying to explain to the uninitiated the peculiarities of road running. Anyway I spent 25 years trying to find a marathon route that was “short” so that I could break the 3 hour barrier and never found one!! Nowadays even the 10Ks are all “long” However he was thankful that he ran fast enough to beat the fading light as some of those tackling the Half marathon were finishing in the dark. George and Noreen Kerr took to the roads for the first time in a while and got round comfortably in the middle of the pack of 10k runners.

DECLAN STAYS IN THE LIGHT

Declan Teague took on the Half Marathon and was placed 12th overall in 1 hour 27 minutes which nevertheless was only just before the light disappeared. Given that, like Gordy in the Larne race he had a hard week’s training in his system and that the course was challenging enough, this was in impressive result, Declan! He has a fairly strenuous few weeks ahead as he prepares or the Belfast half Marathon on 23 September the Budapest Marathon on 7 October and the Dublin version on 28^th. Good luck in all of those.

LEFT IN THE DARK

It was noted with some concern on Friday night that with the swift onset of Autumn the evenings are drawing in and it was always going to be touch and go about whether the slower runners would complete the half marathon before it was actually dark. I left Kilyleagh round 8.20pm and it was quite dusky even then. That was 80 minutes into the race and with well over half the runners taking over 100 minutes to complete and the last runner taking 3 hours and 20 minutes to cross the line it must have raised serious concerns for the organisers about their safety.

24 HOUR RELAY IN SUPPORT OF AIR AMBULANCE NI

None of the EDAC members took part in the 24 Hour Run in the Park Relay on Saturday and Sunday in aid of Air Ambulance Northern Ireland. It began at 12.00noon on Saturday and was well supported. Our contribution to the proceedings was we supplied our large digital clock for keeping everyone appraised of the total running time throughout the full 24 hours.

Joe Quinn & Alison Carroll

10 September 2018