CARLINGFORD 5K
The Carlingford 5K is a top class event which usually draws big numbers and top talent. Friday past was no exception. The race was won in 14.23 by Yared Derese of Carrick Aces with Paddy Hamilton (runner up at Jimmy’s 10K this year) coming in behind him in 15.03. The top 12 were inside 16 minutes so Gordy Graham as the first EDAC man home did well to come 21st overall in a time of 16.22. This was a PB by 7 seconds on his previous best and he attributed that to a slightly reserved first mile which allowed him to kick at the finish and while others found it a warm night, he described the conditions as perfect. Neil Curran, next from the EDAC entrants was pleased with 16.56 and although this wasn’t a PB he enjoyed the course and the atmosphere of the event. Carl Keenan was delighted with his result as at he took 2 full minutes off his 2018 time to finish in 22.14 with dad Liam coming over the line just a minute behind. Carl has been working hard on his fitness and will take great encouragement from his improvements. A super run by Carl, for, as we say in EDAC conversations, anyone who finishes ahead of Liam Keenan is going well. Kelly Smith was out to give her new vest its inaugural airing and clocked 25.54 over the 5K distance.
Father and Son pairing Carl (on the left) and Liam Keenan after the Carlingford 5K
Kelly Smith after she finished the Carlingford 5K on Friday night
BELFAST INTERNATIONAL & EUROPEAN ATHLETICS PARTNERSHIP MEET
The weather was perfect for the event and spectators were able to enjoy a night of racing where athletes of note both local and further afield competed in a full range of Track and Field. This was an event which had been marked in my diary for months and one which I was determined to attend, in order to assess the talents of the EDAC juniors who had been invited to take part. However, like the old saying “The best laid schemes of mice etc.” my planned visit was overtaken by events and I missed what was apparently one of the performances of the year.
EAST DOWN JUNIORS IMPRESS
A number of Juniors were invited to take part and provided a warm up to the main action. They may have been billed as the lead up but the efforts witnessed showed how seriously the races were taken by all concerned. Jodi Foster took part in a multi event consisting of a jump, throw and sprint as well as a 1000m race all aimed at Primary age. She was well pleased with 2nd place in the 1000m.
EDAC Juniors working as volunteers at the Belfast International Meet
KIRSTI TIMES IT TO PERFECTION
Lucy Foster, Lauren Madine and Kirsti Foster took part in the Inter 800m. Kirsti led from the gun and although they tried, the rest of the field could not catch her. Her superb acceleration over the final 200m kept her clear from any challenge. She also achieved an impressive PB of 2.17.78 in the process. Her performance was noted by several respected observers who feel she has the potential to go all the way to the top. Lauren finished in 4th place with Lucy in 6th. All these athletes as well as some other Juniors then turned helpers as box carriers for the kit of the Senior athletes. This was mutually rewarding – it was a great help for the athletes and it allowed the juniors a great close up of the elites. All the volunteers received a goody bag and a t-shirt.
Kirsti Foster First in 800m with Lucy Foster 6th and Lauren Madine 4th at Mary Peters’ Track
SENIOR AND INTERNATIONAL RACES
In the Senior races there was talent a-plenty on view and some exciting racing on offer. In both the Mens and Women’s 4x100m a Meet and Track Record was set! Ciara Mageean as the local hero or in this case heroine, showed a clean pair of heels to the rest of the field and took the 800m win in a business like 2.02.40 which was also a Meet Record. Adam Gemili (a member of the Great Britain team that won gold in the 4x100m in the 2017 World Championships) caused a bit of a stir by his presence in the 400m and while he wasn’t able to go full blast as he has a calf niggle he managed to hold off a decent challenge by Leon Reid NIR in a close finish with times of 20.63 and 20.89 respectively. Gemili took to Twitter that evening to express his thanks to Belfast for a warm welcome and indeed many of the visiting athletes praised the event and the support of those who turned out to watch.
RUN THE TRAILS AT MOUNTSTEWART
The Scrabo Striders “Run the Trails” Event in Mount Stewart was an evening affair and attracted a decent entry of 150 for the Half Marathon and double that for the 10K. Paul Lloyd and Marguerite Robinson got value for money when their “Half Marathon” turned out to be a little longer than planned. The front runners took a wrong turn and the pack followed. Undeterred the EDAC duo stuck to their task and enjoyed the trail and its undulations to the full. The two lap course included a testing section of hill which was run twice, once at mile 4/5 and then at mile 10/11 just when fatigue was starting to hit. The finish times (1.42 for Paul and 2.11 for Marguerite) include the extra half mile so are not indicative of their Half Marathon pace. Paul was 19th overall and Marguerite was 19th Female and 99th overall!
Marguerite Robinson finishing the “Half” Marathon at Mount Stewart
Paul Lloyd at Mount Stewart competing in the “Half” Marathon hosted by Scrabo Striders
A SHORTER ROUTE?
Meanwhile Davy Foster, not wanting to concede all the bragging rights in the Foster household to Kirsti, not just yet anyway, opted for the 10K at the same venue and had an impressive run on such a hilly course coming in 3rd overall in 39.59 ahead of the rest of the some 300 who took part. Great running you three!
FEILE 5 MILES ON SUNDAY
In the Feile an Phobail 5 Mile Race on Sunday morning, Caroline MacNabb got her first run out in a while. She was pleased with her form and came 5th Female in 32.14 and 17th overall out of 300 runners. Another new vest therefore got its first outing and hopefully will be seen again on the circuit sooner rather than later.
Caroline MacNabb during the Feile an Phobail 5 Mile in Belfast
NO NEED TO WORRY
I will be “off the keyboard” at least for the next weekend anyway as I have an appointment with a surgeon in Musgrave Park on Monday. It’s to fit a new left knee which I’ve (k)needed for several years now and while it won’t affect my ability to type I will have no access to my computer. Who (k)needs that anyway? Happy Days! So please, if you’re an aspiring writer/ correspondent/ reporter, feel free to have a go at doing the weekly column for the local papers. Send your reports and/or snippets of information to Alison on any race/event that you’re taking part in over the coming weekends, until I can take up my virtual “pen” again.
Joe Quinn & Alison Carroll
5 August 2019