East Down AC at Hill and Dale race

East Down AC at Hill and Dale race

19 April 2023

SPRING has definitely arrived as the masses descended on Castlewellan on Thursday for the first race in the Hill & Dale service hosted by Newcastle AC. 

The weather couldn’t have been more prefect with some heat ensuring runners didn’t get cold waiting for the gun. Following a quick welcome and best wishes sent to the normal photographer, who has been unwell recently, the runners were off. 

Spectators can only catch a glimpse from one or two vantage points so the best deion of the route was given by John Taylor. 

“The race this year reverted to a route last used years ago with runners starting along the lakeshore from the castle before running back on themselves towards the top of Fox’s Green, where the U-16 juniors then joined the race,” he said. 

“From there, we ran to the rear of the castle before beginning the gruelling climb to the summit of Slieve Na Slat. 

“From the summit the runners headed towards the boundary before making their way back to the castle.”

Six seniors – Paul Burns, Niall Gibney, Paddy Erskine, Wayne Giles, John Taylor and Paddy McDonald – donned their EDAC vests for the main five-mile course. 

Jacob Crawford also ran this distance in the junior category.  Five of these runners already know what is in store but somehow selective memories mean their recall is only of the good moments and they return for more each year. Wayne was the only newcomer to the Hill & Dale series. 

Jacob completed the course first in a time of 37.40 with coach Paul not far behind in 39.30. After Paul finished he stated he had IOMS rather than DOMS, meaning immediate onset of muscle soreness rather than delayed onset of muscle soreness, and swore he will never be back - apart from the Binnian and Donard races. 

Niall finished in a time of 42.34, followed by Paddy Erskine (45.03), John Taylor (50.09), Paddy McDonald (52.52) and Wayne Giles (1.00.42). 

On social media later Wayne questioned why this race was considered one of the easier Hill & Dale runs and stated his intention to take up dominos instead. 

We all know he will be back. Veterans of the series explained it is only considered easier because the route is ran on tracks rather than on the open mountains.

Alex Robinson was the only EDAC U-16 junior to run the shorter three-mile route. The 15 U-16 runners were led through the trees after the start of the main race to the bottom of Fox’s Green to wait for the main pack to come past them. 

This shortens their race distance by approximately two miles.

While waiting they were given a brief description of the route they would run, with apparently only two inclines in the junior race. 

Another lesson in mountain running was learnt here. The definition of an incline is different between a mountain runner and those who mainly do road running. 

When the race was over Alex stated there were definitely more than two uphill sections.  This was Alex’s first mountain running experience and it was a baptism of fire. 

The U-16 group joined the main pack when probably 20 of the main group had passed and completed the rest of the route with them. 

As Alex appeared through the trees on the last not mentioned incline, his legs looked heavy. He completed the route in 21.52 coming fifth in the U-16 category.

This was a great first outing and he will be pleased he has another two years in the category to improve his position. A challenge he is yet to decide whether to accept. 

Our thanks goes to Newcastle AC for a well-run event. The Hill & Dale race series continues tomorrow with Tollymore the next venue. For the juniors there is also an option of the second track event at Mary Peters on the same night.                                        

Meanwhile, on Easter Monday the annual Whitehead five mile road race took place and this event always attracts a good range of athletes who want to run off the Easter eggs. 

EDACs Catherine O‘Connor took up the challenge and with a great cross country season behind her, she was in good form. 

From the gun she took the bull by the horns. Catherine put in a great performance and came in first lady and broke the ladies course record in a time of 30 minutes 28 seconds, beating the time by five seconds.