East Down represented in Bangor

East Down represented in Bangor

2 October 2024

SATURDAY morning saw 1,311 athletes head to North Down for this year’s Bangor 10K race. 

This is one of the largest 10K races in Northern Ireland and is part of the NI & Ulster Championships, which always attracts a big crowd. 

The race starts in Castle Park near the front of the Town Hall, continues through Bangor Town centre along the coast to Ballyholme and Groomsport before returning to finish in Ward Park. 

With cool, dry conditions, five East Down AC members made the trip looking for a good time on this flat, fast course. 

After his pacing duties last week at the Belfast Half Marathon, Neil Curran was out for a good time, and he did just that coming in 43rd position clocking 35:47. 

Two places behind Neil was Adam Withers. Attacking the race from the start, he will be happy with his time of 36:09.

Paul Burns was the next red and yellow vest across the line in 57th spot in a time of 37:33. 

The only EDAC lady to run was Sharon Madine, who ran a great race in 46:14. Not too far behind was Seamus Savage, he had not raced for a while and had a strong run in 350th position, in 46:57. 

Well done to all the runners and North Down AC for a well organised race.

Annaghmore Running Festival

At the same time on Saturday morning in Annaghmore, Co Armagh, the annual running festival, which hosts a 1K fun run as well as 5K, 10K, half marathon and 18 mile road races. 

Many local athletes use the half marathon and 18 miler as preparation for the Dublin Marathon. 

Gordy Graham was the only East Down representative, taking on the 18 miler, with a tough hilly course which uses the back roads and country lanes of the local area. 

In mild conditions, from the gun, Gordy hit the front where he stayed taking the lead and putting a two minute gap between himself and the second placed runner. 

A great run from Gordy, crossing the line in 1:44. Good luck to Gordy at the Dublin Marathon.

13 Valleys Ultra Lake District 

Also on Saturday morning, before sunrise, Ultra Runners descended on the Lake District National Park for the 13 Valleys Ultra races. 

The 13 Valleys event celebrates the 13 unique valleys of the Lake District National Park which are part of the UNESCO world heritage site status, by linking them all together the athletes can choose from one trail distance: two valleys (22km) and three ultra distances, five valleys (55km), seven valleys (110 km) and 13 valleys (180km). 

Each distance takes the runners through spectacular trails around the magnificent lakes and valleys of the Lake District. 

East Down AC’s Jonathan Gelston made the trip across the water to take on the seven valley challenge, and after 22 hours 56 minutes of traveling, Jonathan crossed the finish line in 113th position – a great effort over very testing terrain.