East Down AC takes part in Stormont XC
Armagh International 3k and 5k Road Races
On Thursday night the very popular Armagh International 3 and 5k road race took place. This event attracts top athletes from all over the UK and Ireland writes Martin Wilcox.
Top runners come to Armagh to set a fast time and compete against the best runners in this part of the world. The race is organized by Armagh Athletic Club.
The three main races are the women’s 3k, then the headline race the Men’s 5k followed by the Men’s 3k.
The fast flat route which takes in the Mall in the city centre and wet and cold conditions set the night up for some great races.
In the 3k ladies race, EDACs Catherine O’Connor was our only senior runner and as ever took on the challenge, with a strong International field Catherine finished in 51st position in a field of 184 runners in a time of 10 min 01 sec.
The race was won by Megan Davis in 9 mins 19 sec of Sale Harriers.
In the Men’s 3k race Adam Withers was on the start line for East Down AC with 190 athletes again of an international standard.
Adam crossed the finish line 9 min 32 sec in 55th spot, the race was won by Oliver Patton of Kibarchan AAC in 8 min 29 sec. Topi Raitanen won the Men’s 5k race in an amazing 13 min 49 sec outstanding running.
Stormont Cross Country
Stormont Estate saw the last Cross Country League race of the season, with a number of junior races first the seniors took to the course with the senior women and 60+ men taking on the 3.3 miles which is 3 laps of the left side of the grand drive that leads up to Stormont.
The rain held off for the start of the race, the undulating ground in places was very cut up and with tree roots and branches that you needed to keep an eye out for it was going to be tough going.
From the gun Catherine O’Connor went to the front where she stayed. After her run in Armagh on Thursday night she was not sure what was felt in the tank for this race.
Catherine stuck to her task and had to fight to the end to come in second position with a sprint finish.
The next EDAC vest across the line was women’s team captain Sharon Madine who was happy to be back on track after a short break and was happy with her 42nd position.
Aoife Cochrane had another strong run for the ladies team coming in 73rd spot in a time of 25 min 45 sec. Nuala Taylor after watching her children run their races pulled on her spikes and ran a great race for the team crossing the line in 92nd.
Ashley McGrady was next to finish closely followed by Ella Carroll in 122nd and 123rd positions.
Carmel Ross had a great come back run and will be pleased with her 133rd position.
Marguerite Robinson was next in and for her first time running at Stormont was pleased with her race, finishing in 170th spot.
Aine Grant who is now becoming an old hand at the cross country was not too far behind Marguerite in 179th.
Alison Carroll was the final red and yellow vest to cross the finish line and enjoyed the whole team event in 186th position. A great turn out by the EDAC ladies.
Wayne Giles was the only 60+ male in this event and as ever put in a determined performance finishing in 39th position in a time of 28 min 35 sec.
The last race of the day was the senior men’s race, which was 4.4 miles which was 4 full laps, and with 240 athletes on the start line and the course very wet and cut up in places the runners were off.
The pace was fast as the front runners passed though the avenue of trees that lead up the hill towards the Stormont Buildings.
After racing on Thursday night Adam Withers got into a good pace and was first home for the men’s team in 40th position in 27 min 13 sec.
Second EDAC male was Martin Willcox who is an old hand at this event and was happy with his 50th spot.
Not too far behind Martin was club coach Paul Burns who put in a determined run in 52nd.
Matt Bezzant took on his first cross country race for the club, but did not realise that spikes were the order of the day and completed the race in road trainers, so a big lesson learnt but still a great performance by Matt in 98th position.
Gavin Hynds was next in, after watching his son run in the junior race, Gavin got his spikes on and put in a great run for the club coming in 158th.
Kieran Keown was doing his first Cross Country race for East Down and found the going tough but still put in a strong performance for the team coming in 172th spot.
Adam Morgan and John Taylor had a bit of an in-club battle with Adam just pipping it in 177th position with John not too far behind in 179th.
Last past the post for EDAC was Daniel Giles, who had his head down and was going for it and ended up doing an extra lap and still did not come last, so great effort by Daniel, but count your laps next year Daniel.
