East Down AC pair head south for Raheny five-miler

East Down AC pair head south for Raheny five-miler

5 February 2025

ONCE the dust of Storm Éowyn had settled, two East Down AC athletes made their way down to North Dublin to take on the popular Raheny five-mile run, organised by Raheny Shamrock Athletics Club.

The race always attracts a big crowd and while it always starts in All Saints Park, the storm caused the course to be was altered for safety reasons.

Nonetheless, the course was still generally flat, with a few short undulations, despite passing through local housing estates and parks. 

Barrie Atkinson and John Taylor were the two brave racers joining 3,754 other participants on the start line. 

Barrie was the first East Down competitor across the line, finishing in a time of 33 min 11 sec for 996th place, while John broke the tap in 37 min 12 sec, taking the 1,559th spot.

Two more East Down men took the trip to Co Meath on Sunday, competing in the Trim 10-mile road race. 

This flat course always receives large numbers of local athletes and this time, nearly 2,000 runners convened on the start line.

Neil Curran, who is always in great form, was first across the line for EDAC, finishing in 57 min 39 sec to claim 38th place. 

Meanwhile, East Down stalwart Dee Murray will be happy with his race finishing, crossing the line in a time of 1 hr 04 min 48 sec to take 219th position.

Sunday afternoon saw local athletics clubs descend on Ormeau Park for this year’s Malcolm Cup Cross Country race. 

This is a new venue for the event, which is hosted by Annadale Striders AC and, with a number of junior and senior races, it was always going to be a great afternoon of racing.

First up was the Veteran’s men’s race and on what was a short, sharp three-mile race,  Joe Napier and Kieran Keown turned out for East Down.

Joe finished 11th out of 54 runners, with a time of 17 min 18 sec, with Kieran securing 31st after completing the course in 20 min 16 sec.

EDAC had three runners in the four-mile, senior men’s race and they had work to do in a strong field of 131 athletes.

Daniel Giles will be pleased with his efforts, coming home in 41st position as he clocked 23 min 31 sec. 

Adam Withers was next in 25 min 34 sec, finishing in 74th position, while Adam Morgan brought the club home with a solid great run.

Well done to all.