East Down AC Weekly report on races
Beer and Bubbles at Finnebrogue Woods.
This local race is certainly becoming a favourite with local runners and club athletes, with the charity run taking place in the picturesque Finnebrogue Woods, taking in the paths and trails of the woodlands finishing next to the lake, with all proceeds going to Cancer Funds for Children at Daisy Lodge writes Martin Willcox.
With all finishes getting a small bottle of beer or wine, what’s not to like? EDAC had six hardy athletes take on this popular challenge, and with changeable conditions they all had a great race.
Well done to Mark O Connor taking second place in the men’s race and Roisin Gaffney coming in 3rd lady across the finish line, the rest of the team was made up of Wayne Giles, Tom McClean, John Smith and Kieran McMahon. Well done to the organisers MB McGrady & Co and all involved.
Denis Rankin relay round
The Denis Rankin round is a circuit of all the peaks in the Mourne Mountains over 400m in height, covering 90km and 6500 metres in ascent, and this challenge is to be completed within a 24 hr period.
Very early on Saturday morning B.A.R.F organised the second ever Denis Rankin round relay race.
The relay sees teams of five take on the challenge in the fastest time possible. East Down had a motley crew of long-distance fell and mountain runs recruited by Niall Gibney.
James Cuffey took on the first leg, starting in the dark and with the elements against him James ran a very strong first leg handing over to Dermot Cahill who was happy with his leg over some very rough terrain.
Leg three was taken on by Gavin Hynds, who is no stranger to the Rankin round and did battle with the weather and the forest below Slieve Martin.
Stephen Healsey was on leg four taking on some very difficult terrain handing over the baton to Niall Gibney running the glory leg, bringing the team home in 15 hrs 22 sec, placing 6th position out of 15 teams.
An amazing effort from the guys. And well done to all the runners.
Break 4 the Border
On Saturday morning Born 2 Run held their Break 4 the Border half marathon, which is a point to point cross-border race, starting at Greenbank Industrial Estate in Newry, taking in the Newry to Carlingford greenway, following the shoreline of Carlingford Lough, passing though Omeath finishing at the Carlingford Marina.
831 runners toed the start line and with damp conditions the race was off.
EDAC had one hardy soul taking on this challenge. Old hand James Magennis taking on his 50th half marathon had a great run in 1 hr 57 mins coming in 306 place.
