EDAC Reports From Killyleagh, Portaferry And Rathlin

KILLYLEAGH, PORTAFERRY and RATHLIN What a week it’s been for East Down athletes. At Killyleagh, where a record 113 runners took to the scenic but personal bests were being set by virtually every East Down runner with Ryan Hagen dipping below 30 minutes, Mark McDowell just over and newcomer Paul Burns posting an impressive 32.12. Brian Donnelly has clearly recovered from his 100 mile adventure in Connemara as he coasted home in 32.26 and ready for another 10 laps. Cheryl Denvir was first of the East Down ladies home, clocking 34.49 though former local girl Rosie Daly was the leading lady in 33.16. Peter Morgan was close to hitting 7 minute mile pace while Tracey McDowell was comfortably under 40 minutes but Colm Surginor 40.05, 6 minutes better than last year,  and Oonagh Breteche 40.37,  agonisingly close but on the other side. [caption id="attachment_27574" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="Junior runners from the East Down Athletic Club in Killyeagh."][/caption] John Oakes could be well pleased with a sub 45 finish while ever smiling namesake Leanne coasted round in 51.10.  Well done to all. A little earlier East Down’s Paul McMeekin was an impressive winner of the 34 runner Primary School race with Newcastle’s Sarah Dougherty taking the Girl’s trophy. Johnny Erskine was 2^nd East Down boy while Aoife Cochrane ran a very well judged race, picking up many places on the second lap to record 5.22and take a deserved 2^nd place. The quartet of Mary-Jo Tumelty, Adam Morgan, Jamie McDowell and Lucy Morgan, with a splendid sprint finish, all crossed the line within 45 seconds of each other. In the Over-11 race a disappointing field was impressively led home by Paddy Erskine with sister Ellen taking the Girl’s Gold medal in what was a hard fought contest. Just a week after finishing a magnificent 4 hours 35 minutes and 108^th place in the near 3000 entrant Gael Force West multi discipline event in Westport, with clubmate  Michael Degan posting an impressive 5.13 for 414^th place – it involves running, kayaking, bike riding, running up Croagh Patrick, a quick prayer at the top before sliding down it, followed by more running – Gavin Oakes was at it again in the Portaferry Triathlon on Saturday, though this time he only did the bike ride and the run! Gavin’s 2-man team, comprising himself and swimmer Craig McCoy performed commendably well but were outshone by the other East Down trio of Craig’s wife Anna, Stephen McCartan and Brendan Teer, a combination which proved irresistible, finishing in 3^rd place overall in 1.28.32 and taking the team prize. But consider that Brendan had posted 25.40 the previous night in winning the Killyleagh 5 Mile Road Race, ahead of  fellow East Down runner Liam Venney, and his performance is nothing short of amazing. [caption id="attachment_27576" align="alignright" width="400" caption="The finalists in the post-primary section. Paddy Erskine with his sister Ellen are pictured left. "][/caption] A special word of congratulations to Raymond Milligan who completed his first triathlon, no mean feat when you consider that the sea swim is across the Narrows, acknowledged as the most difficult triathlon swim in the world. Nothing like breaking yourself in easy Raymond! However this is not really a good reason for failing to turn out on Sunday for the weekly long slow run or at very least to place water bottles at the usual strategic points around Killough and Rossglass. There must be something about crossing water which brings out the best in East Down’s athletes as, while prizes were being won in Portaferry,  Declan Teague was making equally impressive strides in the annual 10 Mile Rathlin Run. Despite picking up an injury on what is a very demanding course he finished 2^nd overall and won the Over-40 prize in 70 minutes. Not only that but Denis McKay knocked an incredible 22 minutes of his 2010 time, recording 82.02. A repeat of that next year Denis will see you in the winners enclosure. On the subject of injuries, I thought I had scrapie, until I discovered  that was the sheep equivalent  of BSE in sheep, and invariably fatal, but it described a tendency I have developed to trail my left foot after a few miles running which can lead to painful encounters with the ground.  I now pray for loose gravel underfoot or at least some rain to help my uncooperative limb slide along the ground instead of tripping me up.  I concluded the other day that a type of heelie, the little built in wheel which kids enjoyed having in their footwear recently, only fitted on the sole or underneath the toes of the shoe might be the answer – a soleie or a toelie perhaps? Anybody know the address of Dragon’s Den? Don’t forget Newcastle ACs  Mill Hill Mile is on Tuesday 13^th September at 7.00pm – everyone can and should do this. I’m aiming for Deon McNeilly’s long standing record of 5 minutes this year, just as I did last year, and have only a mere 3  minutes to make up. Are you all up for it?]]>