East Down AC Runners Enjoy Running Events Over Holidays
The BARF Turkey Trot
The Turkey Trot is a long running Boxing Day calorie burn out, open to all hill runners over 18 yrs old. The course is basically a clockwise circuit of Slieve Meelmore, 7.5 Km in length with a height gain of 400 metres writes Martin Wilcox.
The race starts near Meelmore lodge, following the tracks up to below Spellack cliffs then onto Slieve Bearnagh and Meelmore then onto Slieve Meelbeg.
Then a fast descent of Happy Valley to the finish at Meelmore Lodge. EDAC had two runners in this tough race, Niall Gibney and John Taylor, both old hands at the mountain races, took this challenge on.
With good conditions Niall was the first past the post in 22nd position in a time of 48 min 45 sec, John crossed the line in 72nd spot in 58 min 35 sec. Great running from both the guys.
Castlewellan Christmas Cracker
Saturday 30th Dec saw the annual running of one of the most popular team races in N Ireland.
Over 600 pairs of runners took on the multi terrain course, which changes each year to keep everyone guessing. With poor weather conditions early on the race could have been in jeopardy, but with a quick route change and improving conditions Newcastle AC got the runners to the start line.
This race is a big favourite with EDAC and the club had 10 members in club colours or fancy dress.
The rain held off and 1 344 runners set off though Castlewellan and into the Forest park and onto many muddy farmers fields, steep hills and tracks, finishing in front of the Castle on the campsite.
This event has a great atmosphere and support round the course which is much needed at times. Well done Newcastle AC and the winners Jared Martin and Thomas Renshaw. And well done to all East Down athletes.
Junior News
The Junior predicted time trial.
At the end the year the juniors joined the seniors at the annual predicted time trial and Christmas party. Each junior had to predict what time they could complete a mile and the closest to their predicted time won a prize.
Thirty juniors turned up and discussed run tactics and predictions. The question, that all the seniors also ask, is whether to do a slow, steady run or to go as fast as you can.
It isn’t the fastest who wins, just the person closest to their predicted time.
On this occasion it was the first finisher Thomas Magee who got bragging rights for the fastest and the closest to his predicted time. Dillon Hynds was second closely followed by Matthew Taylor.
After the Christmas break races return in the new year starting with the Mathieson Cup on the 14th January. Then it will time for secondary school boys & girls to represent their schools at the Ulster Schools Districts Cross Country races starting on the 19th.Jaunary before EDAC hosts the next race in the McGrady series at Delamont on the 21st.
The EDAC runners and their partners in the Christmas Cracker:
2nd Aaron McGrady (EDAC) Timmy Johnston (Annadale Striders)
14th Gordy Graham (EDAC) Conn Rooney (Newcastle AC)
44th Paul Burns (EDAC) Martin Willcox (EDAC)
45th Hannah Somani (EDAC) Mark McGrady
55th Dee Murrey (EDAC) Stuart Neale (Ballydrain Harriers)
70th Dermot Cahill (EDAC) Joe Napier (EDAC)
76th James Cuffey (EDAC) Niall Gibney (EDAC)
81st Paul Lloyd (EDAC) Gareth Brown
169th Gavin Hynds (EDAC) NIamh Kellett (EDAC)
216th Kieron McMahon (EDAC) Eugine O’Boyle
331st Daniel Giles (EDAC) Liam Sloan (Newry City Runners)
335th Ashley McGrady (EDAC) Rachel Frew
353th Stephen Heasley (EDAC) Clare Carson (Down Tri Club)
420th James Magennis (EDAC) Cheryl Denvir (EDAC)
439th Ella Carroll (EDAC) Aoife Cochrane (EDAC)
476th Wendy Findlay (EDAC) Tara Findlay (Mourne Runners)
450th Nuala Taylor (EDAC) Dessie McGarry (Down Tri Club)
485th Janine Murray (EDAC) Oonagh Breteche
541th Patrick Smith (EDAC) Sean McLaughlin (Tels Fitness)
575th Roisin Gaffney (EDAC) Suzy Smith (EDAC)
612th Helen McGinley (EDAC) Mary Walsh (Crossfit Infected)
Photo 1 – Niall Gibney on the descent on the Turkey Trott.
Photo 2 – Aaron McGrady and Jimmy Johnston crossing Line in 2nd place on the Cracker.
Photo 3 – Gordy Graham and Conn Rooney head for the finish at the Cracker.
Photo 4 – Pretty in Pink Suzy Smith and Roisin Gaffney.
Photo 5 – Dee Murrey and Stuart Neale finishing the Cracker.
Photo 6 – Daniel Giles and Liam Sloan at the Cracker.
Photo 7 – Aoife Cochrane and Ella Carroll after finishing the Christmas Cracker.
Photo 8 – Clare Carson, Stephen Healsey, Janine Murray and Oonagh Breteche.
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year from the East Down AC.
