Ice cold Alex best East Down junior at cross country event

16 October 2019

THE first round of the 2019/20 Flahavans Porridge Primary School Cross Country Series was held on Friday and comprised five races in all — a combined boys and girls’ fun run and then two girls and two boys’ races.

Alex Robinson was the best placed EDAC runner, taking 8th in the second boys’ race. As you would expect, the course had become a virtual mud bath by that stage and there was a lot of fallers.

Finn Gibney ran well to take 27th place in the same boys’ race, which had a field of 80 finishers and Kelsey Murray also did well to take 38th place out of 70 finishers in the girls’ race.

Masters trials

The weekend saw the Masters cross-country trials take place at the Queen’s playing fields. The weather was almost too good for it to feel like cross country with brilliant sunshine and little wind.

The well kept grounds enticed one runner to go barefoot which was slightly disconcerting for the remainder wearing spikes, but maybe that was a tactic to get clear passage as the others were afraid to cause him injury.

The conditions underfoot may have been kind, but the course was taxing with four long loops and a few rises and s where tactics played a part.

Mark wins

It was no surprise to see Mark McKinstry, from North Belfast, surge into the lead from the go, given his recent form, but it was still impressive to watch how hard he continued to push despite the clear gap.

Second overall was Eamon White, from the same club, with Glenn Donnelly, of Acorns AC, in third. As this race was a trial for selection for the NI team for the British and Irish XC International in Southport in November, all were out to see if they could do well enough in their age groups to merit a place.

Three EDAC runners were in the mix. Neil Curran ran a great race, going out hard and hanging on — a tactic which worked extremely well. He was 13th overall and fourth in his age category, so stands a good chance of making the team.

Martin Willcox, a previous NI team member at the international event, also put his hat in the ring with a gutsy run, coming 24th and third in his category which should see him nominated to race.

Confirmation was not out at the time of writing, but we will keep our fingers crossed for them both. Gareth Reilly was 47th overall, getting his cross country season off to a solid start.

Soggy Saintfield

As rain swept in overnight and just kept coming, there was the danger of a wash out for the long awaited Saintfield 10/5k, but runners are a resilient lot and so they turned up nonetheless, ready to enjoy the carnival atmosphere laid on by the hardworking members of Saintfield Striders and other coned volunteers.

It was no secret that this is a tough route. Described as a challenge, the 10k started outside the cricket club, rises up into the town, rises again up Main Street and rises yet again after the left turn which takes the runners out into the countryside.

As if that wasn’t enough, there are at least three more hills which take their toll, but there are occasional down hills to catch your breath and the biggest compensation of all is the final mile and a half which drops down into the finish.

Edie in front

The pacers were encouraging and the marshals were cheery, so there was plenty to keep runners on track, whether they were chasing a time or just hoping to finish.

EDAC had a small, but determined army. First home for EDAC was Edie Carroll, who thoroughly enjoyed the run and finished 40th overall and eighth female in a time of 45.49 which is more than respectable on that course.

Kevin Kelly, who has racked up some great racing en route to Dublin Marathon, ran a PB (46.34) which is a real boost in these last couple of weeks of his prep.

Clare Carson, also in taper, produced a good time of 47.11. Ryan McVeigh, now an established EDAC runner, was happy with his 49.25. Donal Smith cursed the hills and then just when he was bracing himself for the last one, he found to his delight that he was in fact on the down slope of the route home.

He crossed the line in 52.12. Alison Carroll turned out purely as test of endurance as, since she picked up an injury many months ago, she has been slow to return to consistent training so with a sub 60 as her goal, she was more then content with 57.33.

Madines on podium

Mother and daughter duo, Sharon and Lauren Madine, did the family proud when Lauren took a clear win in the 5k (20.34), which went a different route, but managed to pack in a couple of hills, despite being the shorter option. Susan Smyth of Dromore AC was second in 21.38 followed by Sharon on 23.12. Bravo to the Madines.

And bravo also to the organisers of the event — Saintfield Striders, led by Atlas Running — who provided a good afternoon’s entertainment with hot food, face painting and music.

All the helpers deserve credit for their hard work and their warm welcome.

As someone, probably a rugby supporter from Japan, said: “The weather cannot be controlled,” though a positive attitude goes a long way to dealing with it and positivity was in good supply.

Gareth goes solo

The only other senior in action was Gareth Amos who slipped off to Kells to do a five miler. He was 42nd in a time of 43.47. He enjoyed the race describing it as hilly, dry and with a tasty post race BBQ. A very good event that deserves more runners. Definitely recommend it to others for next year.

This weekend

Dundrum celebrates the tenth anniversary of its ever popular GR8 Dundrum Run on Saturday and as ever, the event will probably sell out before race day.

For the last few years this event has coincided with the Comber Cup cross country fixture, which is held at the Billy Neill Centre just outside Dundonald. This is an unfortunate clash for both events, but demonstrates clearly the dilemma facing committed runners, and also supporters and club officials, week in week out as to where to run/spectate.

It can also affect the number of entries in both and often tests the loyalty of runners who have to decide between offending the promoters of one event or, their club mates who are expecting them to turn out to increase their points tally in a league fixture.A runner’s lot is not always a happy one.

Tweets by @TheDownRecorder