East Down shine at Man O’War 7k and Scrabo Hill

East Down shine at Man O’War 7k and Scrabo Hill

24 August 2022

THE Man O’War 7k, promoted by Lusk AC is an event that features an unusual distance hidden away on the roads of North County Dublin. 

It was discovered by East Down AC’s Patrick Smith when on a visit to Laytown on Thursday, and started and finished at the Man O’War Inn and Restaurant, a traditional Irish thatched roof hostelry nestling beside the appropriately named Man O’War Hill.

Patrick commented that the seven kilometre route around the quiet and picturesque country roads was “simple and safe” with the first three kilometres downhill. 

It was also well marshalled, with four right hand turns meaning there were no navigation issues.

However as the saying goes: “what goes down must come up again” and so it proved with what Patrick described as a Mill Hill like climb up four kilometres to the finish line at the front door of the inn. 

His final comment was that negative splits are not possible on this route. However, he was happy with his time of 35.51 and his placing of 51st out of 106.

Scrabo Hill Race

On the same night, Ballydrain Harriers hosted the Scrabo Hill Race as part of the NIMRA (NI Mountain Running Association) Championship Series. 

This is a demanding race to say the least – two loops within Scrabo Country Park, four miles in total with 1,200 feet of climbing and a tough uphill finish at Scrabo Tower. 

Although the race was open to all ages, it served as a trial for juniors hoping to be selected for the Northern Irish team for the upcoming British and Irish Junior Mountain Running Championships.

The aim was to choose a team of four U-17 and four U-20 boys and girls to represent Northern Ireland at that event to be 

held at Ambleside in the Lake District on Saturday, September 3.

Junior U-20

All the juniors started together in wave one followed by two waves of senior runners. The field was capped at 102 competitors in total due to the narrow technical course. 

Newcastle AC’s Tom Crudgington soon went to the fore with multiple Irish track champion Sean McGinley of Finn Valley trying to hold on to him, without success. 

Tom increased his lead to finish in 26.46, almost a minute quicker than Timothy Johnston of Mourne Runners with McGinley settling for a hard fought third place in a time of 28.12.

Junior U-17

At the end of lap one East Down AC juniors Oliver Robinson and Jacob Crawford were in fifth and sixth position in the U-17 age category, but as the race continued Ollie was unfortunately hampered by painful blisters and ped out of contention. 

It has to be said that he gamely ran on to finish 51st overall and seventh in his age category. Meanwhile Jacob found himself in fifth position with less than half a lap to run, put in a mammoth effort to pass Ciaran McCarroll of Finn Valley on the final climb. 

His legs and lungs were screaming but he managed to put some distance between himself and Ciaran and haul himself to the line before collapsing in an exhausted heap. 

He was delighted to find that he was fourth in the U-17 age category (23rd overall) and had secured selection for the NI 

team and his first international vest. 

It was truly a test of grit and determination by both boys. Well done to them.

Montalto Estate 10k

Alice and Paul Brear-Clarkson had only a short distance to travel to find a race last weekend as there was an event in Montalto Estate practically on their door step. 

There was a 5k and 10k option, both distances run on the trails of the estate incorporating tough hills and rewarding scenery in equal measure. 

Paul took the overall win in 41.48 and Alice was third overall and first female by some way in 42.25. Well done to them.

Firmus Fab Five 

The fourth track meeting of the series of five known as the Firmus Fab Five also took place on Thursday. 

A handful of EDAC athletes made their way to Mary Peters Track in Belfast to take part in what was a full program with racing jam packed into a long evening so there was plenty to see.

Junior results: U-11 60m, Charlotte Mulhall (11.02 seconds); U-11 60m, Alicia McCaugherty (11.45 seconds); U-15 200m, Adam Mulhall (time not available); U-15 long jump, Abigail Elliott (3.58m); U-15 mile, Thomas Magee (5.39).

Neil Curran had a good run in the Men’s Mile and placed sixth in the A race in 4.53.06. 

He has enjoyed the track season and will have banked some speed for races ahead. 

The final meeting of the series takes place on Thursday, September 1. All details 

including deadline for online entry dates can be found at https://athleticsni.org/Fixtures/Firmus-Fab-5-Meets.