Juniors receive series awards

Juniors receive series awards

8 May 2024

THE McGrady race series was celebrated at the series’ prize giving which was held last Monday night at East Down AC’s clubrooms. 

The ethos of the series is enjoyment and everyone who participated is celebrated.

Kids who ran in three out of the four races received a slate participation medal as they are seen as the backbone of the series and deserve to be congratulated. 

Participation prizes were given to Amber Keown, Alice Taylor, Isla Taylor, Rory Kinsella, Oscar Keown, Aoife Gilchrist, Annie Canavan and William Taylor.

Of course with any series, there are also winners. East Down AC had their fair share of the podium places.

First place trophies were awarded to Orlaith Keary (Primary 7), Alex Robinson (Year 11/12), Sarah Gilchrist (Year 11/12) and Jacob Crawford (year 13/14).

Second place trophies were awarded to Coen Canavan (P4 and under), Mack Canavan (Primary 6 joint winner with Rossa McAleenan), Tarynn Smyth (Primary 6 joint with Eve Harrison), Dillon Hynds (Year 8), Jarlath Price (Year 8), Thomas Magee (Year 11/12), and Charlotte Barr (Year 11/12) 

Third place trophies were awarded to Willow Keown (Primary 4 and under), Fiadh Kellett and Rosa Canavan (joint Primary 5), Maria Rooney (Primary 7).

The Primary 7 girls’ team, consisting of Orlaith Keary, Maria Rooney, Alice Taylor and Isla Taylor, also won the primary school award for the greatest participation numbers in their category.

So another series has drawn to a close.

Thanks must be given to all the parents who cover the volunteering rota throughout the year, helped at the hosted EDAC hosted races at Delmont, and brought the kids to training to ensure they were able to compete. 

Also thanks to the loyal coaches who give up their time to take training weekly.

Finally, thanks to the continued sponsorship from McGrady Financial Services.

Hill and Dale series

Matthew Taylor went under the radar last week when he participated in his first Hill and Dale race, running up and down Slieve Martin. 

He obviously has the bug now and lined up again this week at the bottom of Binnian with the seniors to race to the top.

He said he held back initially because he expected the course to be harder than it was and now knows he could have pushed a bit harder from the start. 

He finished in sixth position in the male junior category and 180th out of the total field of 250 runners. He now has a taste for fell running and hopefully will be taking part in as many of the series as possible.

Anna wins Best Athlete

Congratulations to Anna Gardiner, who was recently awarded Best Athlete of the Year at the Local Women in Sport Awards Gala at the Europa Hotel, Belfast, for her cross country performances representing Ireland at the European Cross Country Championships last December and the World Cross Country Championships last month.