Thomas is just gr-eight in 5K

Thomas is just gr-eight in 5K

4 September 2024

TWENTY-EIGHT East Down AC members recently made their way down to Strangford for the annual 5K and 10K races as part of the local festival.

This is a great local race with the 10K taking in the streets of Strangford and the tracks and trails of Castleward, finishing on the quay with great views of Strangford Lough. 

This year the route for the 10K was following an anti-clockwise direction which means the long climb from the bottom courtyard all the way up past the big house with a number of smaller hills thrown in for good measure. 

Six East Down AC athletes took on the challenge and Adam Withers was first past the post and third male home in 36:39. 

The ever young Paul Burns was next over the line in 12th spot in 41:28, while Matt Bezzant was not too far behind in 22nd position with a great time of 43:15. 

John Hanna has completed the race before and knows the course well and will be happy with his 34th position. 

Ashley McGrady was the first and only East Down AC lady involved in the 10K and will be happy with her run, placing in 79th position. 

Wayne Giles was the final red and yellow vest over the finish line in the 10K race in a time of 60:00. Great efforts over a very tricky course.

The 5K race sticks mainly to the local roads and East Down AC had 22 junior and senior athletes in the shorter race. 

Club results: Thomas Magee, 8th; Adam Morgan, 10th; Matthew Taylor, 11th; Mack, 14th; Sharon Madine, 17th; John Taylor, 24th; William Taylor, 25th; Paddy MacDonald, 26th; Rory Kinsella, 27th; Erin Oliver, 28th; Alice Taylor, 32nd; Nuala Taylor, 33rd; Aoife Gilchrist, 40th; Patrick Smith, 48th; Clare Forster, 49th; Caragh Moore, 50th; Oriaeth Gill, 51st; Aoife Kellett, 54th; Niamh Kellett, 55th; Aine Grant, 64th; Marguerite Robinson, 74th; Annie Gill, 94th. 

Well done to everyone in the club, it was a great turnout which may have had something to do with the generosity afterwards from treasurer Paul Burns.

Antrim Coast Half Marathon

The Antrim Coast Half Marathon is the most scenic and thrilling road race in Northern Ireland, offering runners a breathing taking course along the stunning Antrim coastline. 

Starting at the beginning of the iconic Antrim Coast road, the course sweeps into Larne Harbour and through Larne town before moving onto the world famous coast road. 

East Down AC had four athletes on the start line, all looking for a fast time on this fast and flat course. 

Gordy Graham, who has been in great form of late, was the first home in an amazing time of 1:13:42 in 82nd position, which shows the high standard of athletes in this event. 

In 149th spot was Neil Curran in a time of 1:17:48 which he will be very pleased with. 

Caroline MacNabb was next across the line in 186th position and 23rd female in a great time of 1:19:47. 

Daniel Giles, who enjoys the longer races, will be over the moon with a personal best of 1:25:47 and not too far behind Daniel was the husband and wife team of Alice and Paul Brear-Clarkson, who both paced a great race finishing in 1:26:34.

Philip Vint 97 not out

On the same weekend, East Down AC’s marathon man Philip Vint edged closer to his goal of completing 100 marathons by the end of the year. 

Number 97 was the Longford Marathon with the course dipping in and out of counties Longford and Roscommon along the River Shannon. 

Philip was happy to get around with no major issues in a time of 3:58:21. Next on the calendar is the Causeway Coast Marathon in two weeks’ time – keep it going Philip.