INTERNATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY

Many of East Down’s senior men had fancied entering the Elite / International 10K, the highlight of Saturday’s Cross Country races at the Billy Neill Centre, in Dundonald, to take on the cream of the GB athletic fraternity and the rest of the world in the shape of a quartet of African athletes, headed by Rio Olympics 10K runner up to Mo Farah, Paul Tanui and the fastest over 10K in the past year Richard Yator, both from Kenya, and the 2 young upstarts Birhanu Balew Olympic 5K finalist in Rio,from Bahrain and Ethiopian  Chala Beyo the African Games 2016 Steeplechase Gold Medallist.

Pre-race favourite Paul Tanui was in contention for most of the race but faded to fourth on the run in as Balew’s scintillating sprint for the line left his three companions floundering, with Yator taking 2^nd place and Beyo in 3^rd.

JIMMY’S TEN WINNER BEST OF THE NI SQUAD

Mark McKinstry, Jimmy’s Ten winner in 2018, was the best of the NI squad and justified his selection by setting out with the leaders only to have an unfortunate fall in the first lap which left him isolated.  However he is not British Masters X/C Champion for nothing and he raised the biggest cheers of the day by holding onto 10^th place , and it could have been 5^th or 6^th but for that fall.

EAST DOWN DECISION MAKING AT ITS BEST

The EDAC squad opted instead for the shorter Open Mixed Race over 2 laps, 4K distance and all thoroughly enjoyed the race without feeling short changed by the lesser distance. In fact it proved a masterly decision as they were able change, freshen up and then to watch the world class action which was displayed before their very eyes. Everyone concerned quickly realised that not only is the spectating side of the tape the best place to see the action when the Africans are in town, but also it prevents the embarrassment and humiliation of being lapped, perhaps several times, by these giants of the sport, as happened to several of the local, very good club runners. Lesson No.1:- There is absolutely no humiliation factor to be experienced when you’re passed by one of these runners – as long as you’re behind the crowd barrier!

MIXED OPEN 4K RACE

Paul Carroll Annadale Striders was the most prominent local in this event and he ran his best race for some time to claim a very satisfying 3^rd place. Best of the East Down contingent was Neil Curran, in 9^th place, who is improving with every outing followed by the ever reliable Martin Willcox 13^th, Davy Foster 16^th, Gavin Hynds 30^th , Paul Lloyd, 34^th, Gareth Reilly 45^th and Donal Smith 58^th.

This was an excellent warm up race prior to the Intermediate and Master’s Championships which take place next Saturday in Barnett’s Park, near Shaw’s Bridge.

WOMEN DO WELL TOO

There were lots of positives too in the Women’s race run in conjunction with the Men’s. Catherine O’Connor ran a strong race and was just outside a podium place by a handful of seconds. Niamh Kellett still on the recovery after injury was relieved to run unhampered and to finish pain free in 8^th place.  Joanne Foster ran her own race as she always does, finishing strongly in12th place while Kelly Smith, 25^th, far from being put off by the conditions at her debut at Mallusk last week not only lined up again on Saturday but has signed up for three in a row by putting her name down for the Intermediate team next week at Barnetts Demesne. Well doe to all and good luck next weekend.

BOYS AND GIRLS RACES

There was a total of 13 races on the packed card, starting at 10.55am with the Girl’s Under13 2K race in which East Down’s All Ireland Silver Medal winning team took part. Expectations of another successful day were high and supporters were not disappointed. The Team, led by the diminutive Lauren Madine, who was also 3^rd overall, were in outstanding form and easily claimed the Top Team prize. Lucy Foster was 7^th and Anna Gardiner 10^th to complete the top scorers and were ably backed up by Kara Trainor 37^th and Anna Kearney 55^th.  Congratulations to all concerned.

UNDER 15 GIRLS

Kirsti Foster s the Club’s only representative in the Under 15 Girls race and as ever she gave a very good account of herself, holding off a 3 pronged late attck to take an excellent 10^th place.

 UNDER 15 BOYS

Mackenzie Murray was the only East Down runner in the Under 15 Boys race and as we have come to expect he ran very well to take 36^th place in the high quality field.

PRIMARY SCHOOL GIRLS

Once again it was the name Foster which was on the East Down supporters lips as Jodi and Kari took to the twists and turns of the 1200 metre lap round the lake, and when the runners came into view at the start of the long finishing straight it was Jodi who was prominent as she battled all the way to the line, claiming 5^th place, while  just 21 seconds behind Kari was fairly comfortable in holding onto 15^th position.

AND BOYS

Kieran Trainor, had a long wait as his race was number 11 on the card but he showed that he had not waited in vain.  Showing signs of his blossoming maturity, he bided his time before staging a strong finish to take 19^th place in the 55 runner 1200 metres event.

MCGRADY’S FINANCIAL SERVICES CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE ROUND 4

The junior Cross Country Series sponsored by McGrady Financial Services is a 5 race league for 5 local clubs – Newcastle AC, East Down AC, Dromore AC, Burren AC and 3 Ways AC with one race hosted by each of the clubs who take part. The race hosted by EDAC takes place in Delamont which is a great venue but last year in this same month, the event could not be held due to the waterlogged state of the ground, so this year East Down AC as host club were determined to deliver – 101 athletes turned out in perishing cold and seemed to thrive on the muck and the undulating course with an uphill finish to test even the fittest. The joy and enthusiasm of the youngsters is great to see.

GOLD DUST RUBBING OFF ?

The results are still being processed and a full report will be produced to pay tribute to the achievements of individuals and clubs. It has to be said however that many of East Down’s juniors who had competed at Dundonald the day before turned out again and in my view they all ran noticeably better, seemingly with a new found air of confidence. So who says that contact with the best, doesn’t make the gold dust rub off onto our children?

THANKS

In the meantime we would like to thank parents of all involved for bringing their offspring and giving up part of their weekend. In particular we thank the EDAC parents who turned up early to set up or who helped with registration, timing, marshalling or who stayed behind to clear up. Without their support the event could not take place. Credit is also due to the coaches and senior members of the club for their part in the planning of operations.

NEXT WEEK

It’s NI & Ulster Intermediate and Masters Championships races in Barnett’s Park beginning at 1.00pm.  Please Ladies in particular note the revised schedule as due to the numbers involved the Intermediate Ladies race will be a separate race at 1.00pm, and will not be combined with the Master’s Women, as originally planned. See you there!

 

Joe Quinn & Alison Carroll

 

21 January 2019