East Down in Bobby Rea XC

East Down in Bobby Rea XC

25 October 2023

SATURDAY afternoon saw this year’s running of the Bobby Rea International Cross Country race. 

The junior races took place in the morning and after the two previous days of heavy rain, the course was cut up in many places and conditions could be described as bad to spongy.  

The ladies event commenced with three two kilometre laps of the hilly course at the Billy Neil Centre. 

East Down AC had four ladies competing in this high quality field which contained athletes hailing from across the UK, Europe and South America. 

Catherine O’Connor was leading the charge for both East Down AC and Northern Ireland, having been selected for the NI team for this event. 

Catherine put in a strong performance, even with a cold, placing in 11th position overall and as third NI runner across the line, scoring for the team. 

Backing up Catherine was the next red and yellow vest to finish, Leanne Spick, who put in a strong run around this tough route to place in 95th position out of 253 athletes. 

After watching her children take on the course, Nuala Taylor pulled on her spikes and was pleased with her efforts to finish in 142nd spot. 

Aine Grant, who normally prefers the tarmac, took to the mud to make up the EDAC ladies team and dug in deep to finish in 216th position. 

The ladies team placed in 15th position out of 21 teams in a very strong field. Izzy Fry, running for Great Britain, won the 6K race in 21:18.

The East Down AC men were the last on, with eight athletes running with the first four in to account for the team results. 

The men had four two kilometre laps to contend with and by now the ground was very wet and muddy in places with some of the team taping their spikes to their feet so as not to lose them in the thicker mud. 

Again, there was a strong international field of 244 runners and from the gun there was a stampede towards the first hill. 

The pace was fast, pulling all of the runners around the wet course. Adam Withers went off fast and managed to maintain this pace for most of the race, finishing in first for the team in 59th position. 

Next in was Martin Willcox, who is an old hand at the cross country, who crossed the line in 84th spot and he was happy with his afternoon’s efforts. 

Not far behind Martin was coach Paul Burns, who is coming back into some form after a layoff and found the going tough, but enjoyed the outing to place in 90th position. 

The last counter for the team was James Cuffey, who has been dipping his toe in all distances and types of races and admitted to enjoying the cross country in an odd kind of way. He finished in 104th position. 

The fifth man in was men’s team captain Seamus Savage, who admits that cross country is not really his bag, but was supporting the team and put in a determined run to place in 186th spot. 

Next in was the ever reliable Adam Morgan, who has ran this course many times and enjoyed the race, finishing in 192nd. 

Not too far behind was cross country stalwart Mark O’Connor, who has competed in many cross country races in his time and he placed in 194th position. 

In 210th position was Declan Hampton, who is more of a roadrunner, but still finished with a smile on his face after a tough race. 

The men’s team finished the team event in ninth place out of 21 teams with Ethiopian Yohanes Asmare placing first in a time of 25:26.

Jog On Cancer 5K and 10K

On Sunday morning local athletes descended on Lurgan Park for the Jog On Cancer 5K and 10K event. 

This race raises money for cancer charities around Northern Ireland and takes in a number of laps of Lurgan Park. 

EDAC had brother and sister Paddy and Suzy Smith taking on the 10K which contained three and-a-bit loops around the lake in Lurgan Park. With cool and sunny conditions, 140 runners toed the start line while Olympic gold medalist Dame Kelly Holmes made an appearance as guest starter.

Paddy was first home in 54th position in a time of 54:49, and not too far behind was sister Suzy in 55:37 to take 60th position. Paddy said it was a great event and a personal best course, but only if he had not been watching and enjoying the rugby the night before. Great effort from both for a great charity.