East Down AC report for events over last week
Hill & Dale race 1.
Last Thursday saw the first race in the Hill and Dale series, this popular event is hosted by Newcastle AC with the first race of the ten in this series being held in Castlewellan Forest Park writes Martin Willcox.
The course covers approximately 8.5 km of lake side, forest trails with hills and summiting Slievenaslat and looping back around the castle to the finish. The conditions were fair, but after all the recent rain the ground in places was still wet, muddy and slippery.
EDAC always has a small contingent of runners that take on the challenge and this year some of the old faces came back to test themselves.
James Cuffey who had a great first season last year was back for more and had a strong opening race crossing the line in 29th in 41 min 49 sec, a great opener from James.
Mountain man Niall Gibney is an old hand at the Hill and Dale and will be pleased with his first race finishing in 73rd spot in a time of 44 min 50 sec.
Kieran Keown took on his first Hill and Dale race in EDAC colours and had a great run out in 201st position in 52 min 15 sec. Paddy MacDonald again is no stranger to this series of races and seems to preferrers
The trails, he had another strong run in 266th position in a time of 56 min 59 sec. Next week is Tollymore Forest Park.
Larne 10 Miler
Saturday morning saw athletes across N Ireland head to the north coast for the Larne 10 miler.
The race is hosted by Larne Athletics Club with the start at the top of Larne Promenade following the coast road with the turning point at the Halfway House Hotel with the finish back on the promenade by the Prom Cafe.
This route takes in some spectacular views on the way out and back.
With swirly wind conditions which did not help any of the runners on the route out or back, 823 athletes toed the line for the start. From the gun EDACs Gordy Graham who is back in good form headed for the front runners and stayed there.
For the second race on the trott Gordy secured 4th position in a new PB of 56 min 21 sec, great running.
Leanne Spick was the only EDAC lady in the line up and battled against the cursting wind to battle to 145 position in a time of 1 hr 15 min, great effort from Leanne.
Manchester Marathon
Early on Sunday morning in the heart of Manchester, saw over 32 000 runners take on this popular event. With a race of this size the start is staggered with different start times and zones.
The start is at Lancashire Country Club in Old Trafford and loops back to finish nearby, with runners taking in Chorlton, Sale, Altrincham, Stretford past Salford Quays and the city centre.
East Downs Neil Curran has been training away quietly, putting in the big miles looking for a fast time on this fast flat course.
All the training paid off with Neil crossing the line in a new PB of 2 hrs 46 min 22 sec, great running from him, great pacing.
Dee Murray has done many marathons but with an injury hampering his training he will be happy with his time of 3 hrs 12 min 49 min, some determined running from Dee. A Great week running from the club members.
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