SATURDAY saw the running of the oldest mountain race in Ireland, the Slieve Donard race.
For context, 78 years ago locals in Newcastle wanted to see who was quickest at going from sea level to the top of Slieve Donard and back down again.
At the weekend, the early mist and cloud that engulfed Donard all morning burned away just in time for the start and the sun made conditions good but a bit warm.
After a race brief from Deon McNeilly, the 168 runners were off from Donard park following the Glen river up to the saddle.
East Down AC’s mountain man Niall Gibney was the only club member to take on the challenge.
Knowing the mountain well he paced a great race and after reaching the summit, Niall made the descent via the quarry and though the Donard forest to the finish line in Donard Park in 33rd position.
He set a new personal best of 01:08:00, great running from Niall.
Also on Saturday afternoon, at the Mary Peters Track, the Irish Milers Club held their Belfast event.
The Irish Milers Club is dedicated to providing athletes and their coaches with top quality meets at which the athletes can excel.
All middle distance races are paced to ensure a fast race which raises the standards of middle distance athletics in Ireland.
All distances on the track are ran from 100 metres up to 3000 metres.
East Down AC senior Catherine O’Connor, who has been in great form on the road and over cross country in the past year, turned her hand to the 3000 metres on the track.
With warm sunny conditions and a very strong field of 16 runners, Catherine took on the challenge and a fast pace was set.
Despite clashing with a runner’s spike, Catherine finished in eighth position in a time of 09:42, a great afternoon’s work for her.
Running the same race, Anna Gardiner, coming off an excellent cross country season, wanted to transfer that momentum to the track.
Taking on the senior women, Anna knew there was slim hope of a podium place, but she was aiming to get closer to an elusive Commonwealth Youth Games qualification time of 09:40.
Her previous best time was 10:15 so with a strong senior field and some great junior starlets from around Ireland, Anna was hoping for a fast time.
From the gun Anna took to the front and settled with the lead group getting a tow from the big girls in front of her.
With great support from the stands, which included dad Paddy losing his voice from shouting, the fans realised that the qualifying time was in reach as a strong pace was being set.
With a lap to go and the clock at 08:29 at the bell, everyone knew Anna was almost there.
At the final 200m mark the clock was at 09:10 as Anna went for the finish line and the only thing that could have stopped her was the lactic acid build-up.
However, her speed and momentum was good and Anna crossed the line in sixth position with an amazing time of 09:39 – an incredible achievement.
Well done to Anna, her coach Peter Morgan and the Gardiner family.
Next race on the horizon for EDAC is the Cooley 10k in Carlingford.