East Down AC runners have a day out at Carlingford
Saturday morning saw the EDAC fun bus take eleven athletes down to the Cooley Peninsula for the Carlingford 10k and Half Marathon.
This popular event starts in the picturesque village of Carlingford and takes in the beautiful surrounds of the Colley Peninsula, Ballagan point, Mourne mountains and Carlingford Lough writes Martin Wilcox.
The race finishes back in the village. There are a few small hills along the route but nothing major, so with good conditions some PBs were in the offing.
All eleven East Down runners were entered in the half marathon and toed the start line at the sailing club.
From the gun Daniel Giles headed to the front and with a good 6 min 20 sec pace got round the course in a PB of 1 hr 24 min 41 secs, a great effort from Daniel.
Not too far behind Daniel was Barrie Atkinson who has been taking on marathons and half marathons all over Europe in the past months crossed the line in 1 hr 25 min 06 secs.
Next in was the ever reliable Dee Murray with a strong run in 1 hr 27 min 48 sec.
The new EDAC club captain John Taylor who organised the transport and gathered the motley crew for the event, had a great race finishing in 1 hr 43 min 26 secs.
First lady home was Sharon Madine who had a solid race coming home in 1 hr 44 min 15 sec.
James Magennis is no stranger to marathons and half marathons and had just flown back from a skiing holiday to take on this challenge and had a steady run in 1 hr 49 min 57 sec.
Paddy MacDonald who loves a road trip to this beautiful part of the country finished in 1 hr 52 min 49 sec.
Next lady in was Leanne Spick, who had another great run at this distance coming across the finish line in 1 hr 56 min 57 sec.
The second PB of the day went to Clare Forester who put in a very determined run to get under the 2 hour mark, finishing in 1 hr 59 min 10 sec.
Nuala Taylor was not too far behind Clare in 2 hrs 01 min 56 sec.
Bringing the team home was Ashley McGrady, she will be happy with her time of 2 hr 06 min 26 sec. Well done all, and well done John Taylor for a well organised road trip.
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