The Weekly News – 20/01/2019

FIRST OF THE YEAR FOR PHILLIP & HELEN

On a bitterly cold Saturday morning Phillip and Helen Vint were at the start line for the latest in the East of Ireland Marathon series, at Staplestown, in North Kildare, which also provide Half Marathon and 10K alternatives, mostly for partners, like Helen who feel it’s nice to be there to support your other half but who feel that running a marathon with them is pushing things a bit too far, 13.1 miles too far to be exact! The temperature was -3 C when they began running and a sultry +2 C when they finished and underfoot conditions were slippery by virtue of the frozen ice around the route. So well done to both on completing what they describe as “steady runs for their firsts” of 2020, Phillip in 3.34.55 and 5th place and Helen in 2.03.43 and 3rd place respectively.

BORN2RUN RUN FOREST RUN No. 6

Saturday saw a big turnout, 207 in fact, for the 6th of the Born 2 Run Run Forest Run Series. This week the venue was Gosford Country Park which will also host the NI & Ulster Intermediate and Masters Cross Country Championships next weekend.

The only distance on offer this week was 5K and he route headed out in a loop around the start and continued towards the outer boundaries of the forest. The first 2K was quite level and took everyone into the scenic forest for 1K where there were a few small inclines but overall it was a flat, fast course with a good run in the last 1K down to the finish line.

JIMMY‘S FIRST FIRST FOR EDAC

No-one made better use of the terrain than East Down’s Jimmy Sloan who fairly flew round the course in a superb 14.54, which was almost 2 minutes ahead of the second placed Thomas Carson 16.44 with 3^rd place filled by Barry McAuley 17.32. I believe this is Jimmy’s first win in Club colours and it certainly won’t be his last, given his present form and continuing improvement, which in spite of hearing later that the distance was allegedly 200 metres short, nevertheless represents a great effort and time. Well Done Jimmy.

Jimmy Sloan – clear winner at the Born2run 5K in Gosford Country Park

LADIES DO EVEN BETTER?

As they have done throughout the Series the battle for the Ladies prizes came down to a sprint finish between the 2 EDAC Club mates Lauren Madine and Anna Gardiner who finished in 17.43 and 17.44 respectively, which was only 11/12 seconds behind the 3^rd placed male runner. Lauren’s Mum Sharon continues to impress and has become one of the most consistent and reliable runners in the Club, finishing 5^th Lady on Saturday in 20.41. So Well Done to all 3 of you.

McGRADY’S FINANCIAL SERVICES JUNIOR X/C ROUND 4, DELAMONT

What better way to spend a Sunday than in Delamont Country Park? The EDAC Juniors obviously agreed as there was a good turnout of them to take part in the McGrady Financial Services Cross Country Series, Round 4, at the weekend. In fact there was double the number that took part in the previous race in Dromore which unfortunately clashed with the All Ireland’s so some had good reason for missing out. It was great to see so many in action and equally pleasing to note how many of the junior runners were willing to help in the set up and take down of the course. EDAC were the hosts on this occasion so it was all hands on deck to put on the full race program and thanks are due to the parents and coaches for giving up their time to make it happen. The fact that the sun shone, took the sting out of the cold and there was no wind either so it was perfect for running. The Club had representatives in most of the races and many of them made it into the top 3 of their age group. The conditions meant that it was not overly muddy but the undulating terrain was challenging and meant that everyone got a good run out regardless if they were at the top end of their particular race or fighting against themselves to persevere to the finish.

A FULL REPORT ON JUNIOR CROSS COUNTRY NEXT WEEK

A full report will be made to include performances of all the clubs but in the meantime, congratulations to those of our juniors who made podium; First in their age groups were Aaron Lennon (Year 8), Oliver Robinson (Year 9), Emily Burns (year 9), Lauren Madine (Year 10) and Mackenzie Murray (Year 11and over). Second places were Finn Gibney (P7), Anna Gardiner (Year 10). Meanwhile Jarlath Kearney (P5), Caragh Moore (P5), Rory Morris (P6), Alex Robinson (P7), and Kara Trainor (Year 10) were all in third place. All our athletes irrespective of placings gave of their best and most importantly seemed to have fun.

Hannah Lennon helping at the McGrady Financial Services Junior XC in Delamont

HIGHLIGHTS OF A GREAT DAY’S RACING

On a personal level I feel that 2 items stood out for me as an interested bystander. Firstly it was great to see that newcomers, our neighbours from Murlough AC, are starting to make their presence felt and will no doubt go on to compete strongly for team awards in the years ahead. And secondly the Year 8 Boys event, which was the race of the day, with Robbie Nicholl from Dromore AC throwing down the gauntlet to all comers by opening up a considerable lead on the first lap and having it picked up by East Down’s Aaron Lennon who worked tremendously hard to close the gap as the finish line beckoned. Moving onto the shoulder of the now toiling Dromore lad, just as they turned into the home uphill straight, Aaron was not to be denied and he sprinted alongside and then pulled away from Robbie to win what was a tremendous duel in the sun and was a real heart warmer for everyone watching. Well done to both lads, This is a battle which could run and run and I’m already looking forward to the next instalment!!