Strangford Festival fun

Strangford Festival fun

27 August 2025

TWENTY-THREE East Down AC members made their way down to Strangford for the annual 5 and 10K, part of the local festival, on Friday evening. 

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

This year, the route for the 10K was following a clockwise direction, which saw competitors make the long climb from the caravan park, following the trail up to the main gate and into Castle Ward Estate, with a number of smaller hills thrown in for good measure. 

Seven East Down athletes took on the challenge and Gareth Fegan was the first club member home, finishing in 41 min 41 sec and 14th place.

The first club lady across the line was Janine Murray, who was a last minute entry and will be pleased with her efforts, finishing in 34th spot and clocking 46 min 48 sec. 

Kieran Keown was the next red and yellow vest over the finish line, posting a time of 48 min 18 sec, followed by club captain John Taylor (49 min 54 sec) and his wife, Nuala (53 min 39 sec). 

Ashley McGrady crossed the line in 56 min 27 sec, finishing in 89th position, while Paddy McDonald (58 min 30 sec) was the final 10K runner.

The 5K sticks mainly to the local roads and trails, and East Down had 16 junior and senior athletes joining the other 196 runners at the start.

Dillion Hynds, who is in great form and can turn his hand to any event, was first home for East Down, securing 5th place in a time of 20 min 34 sec. 

Adam Morgan was not far behind Dillon, claiming 8th spot in a time of 21 min 04 sec, ahead of Oscar Keown (23 min 59 sec) and brothers Jude and Rory Kinsella, who finished in 24th and 30th respectively.

Amber Keown ran a great race in 25 min 23 sec, followed by East Down stalwart Paddy Smith (26 min 20 sec), Alice Taylor (26 min 54 sec) and Willow Keown (26 min 56 sec). Suzy Smith and Lesley Keown came home in 68th and 75th positions respectively, while a big well done goes to Eva Forester, who completed her first 5K with her mum, Clare.

Over the many years that I have been running, I have gone the wrong way, got lost, or been sent in the wrong direction, and I see this as a learning curve.

Adam Withers, Thomas Magee and Matthew Taylor learnt the same painful lesson on Friday, as the lads started the 5K and ended up doing the 10K.

Well done to all who took part, and to the Strangford Festival committee for another great event.