Running news from the East Down Athletic Club
Galbally 5K and 5 Mile Races
Suzy Smith and Patrick Smith travelled back to Galbally to take part in the Galbally 5km. Tempted back by the hospitality she experienced last time she was there, she completed the undulating course in 27.01 which was over 4 minutes quicker than her run there back in 2019. Well done to Suzy writes Joe Quinn.
Patrick tried out the 5 mile option. A nice easy opening two miles to get into his stride before some treacherous climbs in the hills of rural Tyrone before a short descent back into the finish in the Community centre. Patrick’s time 43:38. And well Done to him!
Patrick’s overall verdict: :This is an excellent event with the choice of 5k or 5 miles. The running was all wrapped up within an hour, then it was party time with free pizza, hot dogs, ice cream, chocolate, beers (non alcoholic available) and live music. Never before had I witnessed people jiving and dancing at 12 noon after a run. This is one for the bucket list!
“The hospitality offered soon makes the hills a distant memory. Entries for 2023 will open soon! For the record Kenyan athlete Peter Somba and Newcastle’s Olympian Kerry O Flaherty took the wins in 24:51 (course record) and 28:58 respectively.
Bob and Berts 5 and 10K Race Series at Stormont
Sharon Madine headed to Stormont Estate on Saturday, no doubt encouraged by the attractive title of the event, and the fact that the title refers to the Ice Cream manufacturers. Luckily, however, she chose the 5K as it turned out to be “the toughest 5K she’d ever ran”. The route took the runners past the play park and onto the trails which then led them onto a steep climb to the front of Parliament Buildings.
Of course what goes up must come down so the consolation for Sharon was the long descent towards the finish line, though before she reached that there was another right turn onto another “killer” hill, which she reported with some relish the 10K runners had to do twice! She admitted that initially it caused her to stop momentarily, though she finished it off in style.
New Members Welcome
Throughout the Summer East Down AC members have taken the opportunity of better weather and bright evenings to mix up their normal training sessions.
Their weekly runs have taken place in various locations such as Castlewellan, Castleward and Murlough and the variety that this affords has been welcomed by all. They have run on trail, up and down hills and on the beach and dunes and this Thursday they even ventured on to the track at Mary Peters Track in Belfast.
East Down AC is a happy mix of competitive athletes and social runners and is always open to new senior joiners at ant time of the year.
If you are interested, please send email to:
to find out when and where they meet. With the offer to try a few sessions with no obligation to join up (annual fee is £35) you have nothing to lose!
