East Down AC runners star at annual Belfast Half Marathon

21 September 2022

LAST week EDAC Thursday night training took the form of an ‘in club’ event – a staggered start race.

This is when coach Paul Burns scrutinises recent form in 5Ks and parkruns to set a running order for the individuals involved.

Once he determines a potential time for each runner, the slowest one is allowed to start first with the second slowest held back on a time delay and a further gap to third slowest, and so on, until the club speedsters are eventually allowed to get underway.

The perfect scenario would be that all would converge at the finish but with some improvers running more quickly than their recent performances and others not in top form, it is not an exact science.

However, in general the ones who get a head start are egged on by trying not to get caught while the faster runners coming from behind are pushed to their limits trying to chase down those who are ahead.

It is undoubtedly an excellent training exercise and indeed many achieved new personal best standards for the distance, but it is also great fun for all involved.

The prizes for the top three were vouchers generously donated by Podium4Sport (Belfast) and it was clear that the thought of shiny new running gear was an added incentive.

Patrick Smith crossed the line first and got a £75 voucher for his efforts. Maureen Kelly grabbed a new personal best as well as second place (£50) and Tom McClean was over the moon to finish third (£25).

Mention must also go to Joe Quinn, who, hot off his recent Mill Hill Mile endeavour, decided to attempt the full 5K.

In a smart move, and to put his recently acquired staggering about skills to the test, he set off in advance of the official

start time so that he would be back in time for the post race treats and achieved that with time in hand.

With tea and cake on offer and a few spot prizes awarded, the evening drew to a happy close with all involved declaring it a success.

Thanks to Paul for organising and to those who helped with marshalling and timing.

Niall and Gavin pair up for success

Niall Gibney is always looking out for a physical and mental challenge and whilst he has no fear of going solo, he is also good at encouraging others, and in particular, Gavin Hynds to pony up for the ride.

He and his wingman had some success at the weekend when they took part in the

One Day Score Class in the Mournes.

The brief for this event is that teams of two aim to navigate a minimum distance (typically 15km) in a set six hour window.

There is no fixed course but the task is to collect?as many controls?as possible in?whatever order? you think is best.

Each control is worth a certain number of points and if you go over the six hour limit, you start to lose points.

The winner is the team with the most points.

Niall’s account gives a good insight to the day.

“So after last year’s efforts in the Score Class, I recalled that Gavin didn’t entirely rule out doing it again,” he said.

“I waited until 24 hours after he had completed the recent Hardman Triathlon (an ironman distance event requiring unimaginable

stamina) to invite him to partner up for this year, timing being everything.

“After he gave me not quite a definite yes, I quickly got to work and got us entered,” he conintued. “Gavin was confused to get the confirmatory email minutes after his tentative maybe response.

“We both were in good enough shape having both trained for other challenges this season so it was a case of gathering the gear and setting off on race day.”

Registration and kit check took place in Shimna College and the pair were then bussed off on a magical mystery tour of the Mournes to the secret start point, which this year was Deers’ Meadow.

“Leaving Newcastle in warm

sunshine, we stepped out of the bus to an unwelcome baltic chill,” said Niall.

“Without delay, we got given the map with all the controls on it, the clock started and we quickly got to work on our plan of attack.

“The controls varied from being on peaks to beside ponds and rivers with the less reachable ones being worth more points.

“Last year we blasted off and regretted our haste so this year we took a more conservative approach using a few minutes to decide which controls to visit and which to omit,” he continued.

“We then set off in a loop from the stile at Deers’ Meadow collecting

accessible controls before returning to the same stile. We had used just under two hours of our six hour quota.”

From here the duo crossed the road and then set off onto the Slieve Muck side of the mountains to gather as many points as possible.

After roughly another three and a half hours of climbing, contouring, navigating and sinking in bog holes, both were glad to reach the finish area at Silent Valley.

“Our tactic had worked as by excluding four out of 26 controls, we gained 470 points and no penalty as we were home within the time limit,” reflected Niall.

“We were delighted to realise that we were the third placed team.” He added: “Now to sign up for next year.”

Well done guys and great representation of the club in an unusual and challenging event.

Mash Direct Belfast Half Marathon

One of the reasons for the smaller than usual turnout in the in-club event on Thursday night was because several of the regulars had entered the Mash Direct Belfast Half Marathon on Sunday and

didn’t want to risk injury, having trained hard for months to make

the best of their opportunity to set a reasonable time over the half distance.

Many were running the distance for the first time and their aim was to break two hours. In this category were Carl Keenan, who was delighted to complete in 1.49, Sharon Madine who was over the moon to finish in 1.52, and Carmel Ross who was very happy to duck under two hours as well with 1.59 clocking.

Others to feature were Eamon Kelly and Seamus Savage, Cheryl Denvir, the Taylors, John 1.52, and Nuala, John on this occasion taking the ‘winning’ position, Neil Curran and Gareth Kelly who nailed a splendid new personal best.

Unfortunately I am unable to record the times posted by the other runners as I have been unable to find a copy of the official results anywhere. Well done to everyone who finished the 13.1 miles.

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