Busy week for East Down

Busy week for East Down

21 June 2023

EAST Down AC would like to extend their congratulations to Laura Graham of Mourne Runners and her husband, Thomas, for completing their charity challenge of running 40 miles from Kilkeel to Daisy Hill Hospital and back to Kilkeel. 

They completed the distance in five hours 45 minutes, raising over £16,500 in the process for the Willow Bereavement Suite in memory of their son Luca – a great effort for a great cause.  

Beer & Bubbles 5K

Wednesday evening saw the third running of the MB McGrady & Co Beer & Bubbles 5K run, which takes in the trails of Finnebrogue Woods before finishing close to the lakeside, where all runners receive a local beer, glass of prosecco or soft drink.

The race raises funds for PIPS Suicide Prevention Ireland. 

EDAC had a strong contingent of juniors and seniors on the start line and from the gun Joe Napier headed for the front and had a battle with John Quinn from Roadrunners AC. 

Joe tried to hang on but had to settle for second place, which was still a great effort in 19 minutes 55 seconds. 

Next across the line for refreshments was Eamon Kelly, followed very closely by Sharon Madine, in sixth and seventh positions,  both coming in under the 22 minute mark. 

Cara Napier was not too far behind her dad crossing the line in 11th position with Aoife Cochrane in 13th. 

Sarah Gilchrist was the next EDAC runner to cross the finish line in 24 minutes 15 seconds to take 15th position. 

Wayne Giles enjoyed his evening’s efforts and will be back next year after finishing in 29 minutes 16 seconds. 

John Smith was just a couple of paces behind Wayne in 30th spot. 

The team of Joe Quinn and Karen McFall were the final EDAC runners to cross the line in 78th and 79th position. 

This is a great event for a very good cause and will grow as time goes on.

Meels race nine

Thursday saw the penultimate race in the Hill and Dale series, Meels. 

The sun was shining over Meelmore Lodge as the competitors lined up at the start. 

The course took runners round the cairn, before they made their way up Meelmore to the tower. The next checkpoint was the summit of Meelbeg. 

From there, a grassy descent to the river crossing at Happy Valley then a run back to the stile at the top of the lane before the finish at Meelmore Lodge. 

Four hardy EDAC runners made the trip; Aaron McGrady, back from international duty with Ireland, hit the front and stayed there until the steep descent where he lost a couple of places coming in fourth position in 44 minutes 39 seconds. 

Aaron seems to enjoy the uphill part of these races but is not so keen on the downhill. 

In 26th position, James Cuffey was the next runner in red and yellow to cross the line in 51 minutes 18 seconds – again another strong performance from James. 

Two minutes behind James, Niall Gibney came in 34th position, after another great run from Niall who has his eyes on a big event this weekend. 

I have to apologise to John Taylor who I missed off last week’s report. 

This week I had my glasses on and spotted him coming in 129th position in a time of one hour six minutes, always a stalwart for the club on the hills. 

Comber 10K

Friday night saw Ballydrain Harriers’ Comber 10k, which is a very popular local race that attracts runners from all over. 

This was a flat, fast two lap course of the town in warm but damp conditions. Nine EDAC runners toed the start line with 684 other athletes. 

This was always going to be a fast race and that is what happened with the course record being smashed by Patrick Sheridan in 31 minutes 45 seconds which equates to 5 minute 20 seconds pacing for each mile. 

The first East Down AC runner to cross the line was the ever improving Adam Withers with a new personal best of 34 minutes 57 seconds. He will be very pleased with that run. 

Dermot Cahill was next in with a great time of 38 minutes 38 seconds in 62nd position with Dee Murray not too far behind in 73rd spot in 39 minutes 21 seconds. 

Seamus Savage showed his great form with another personal best of 41 minutes 40 seconds with Daniel Giles pushing him all the way to the line, with only four seconds between them. 

The first EDAC lady to break the tape was Niamh Kellett with a determined run in 41 minutes 55 seconds to capture 125th position. 

Eamon Kelly just pipped Sharon Madine for the second time in a week with only a couple of seconds between them again as Eamon clocked 44 minutes 28 seconds. 

Deirdre Weatherall ran a well paced race and secured 234th position in a time of 46 minutes nine seconds. 

The last red and yellow vest across the line was Leanne Spick, who was not sure whether she would make the race but was glad she did with a great run of 51 minutes 49 seconds and 378th position. Well done to Ballydrain Harriers for a well organised race which had a great atmosphere.