Niamh on the comeback trail

23 January 2019

MANY of East Down’s senior men had fancied entering the Elite/International 10k, the highlight of Saturday’s cross country races at the Billy Neill Centre in Dundonald.

They wanted to pit their talents against the cream of the GB athletic fraternity and the rest of the world in the shape of a quartet of African athletes, headed by Rio Olympics 10k runner-up to Mo Farah, Paul Tanui and the fastest over 10k in the past year Richard Yator, both from Kenya, and the two young upstarts Birhanu Balew Olympic 5k finalist in Rio, from Bahrain and Ethiopian Chala Beyo the African Games 2016 Steeplechase gold medallist.

Pre-race favourite Paul Tanui was in contention for most of the race, but faded to fourth on the run in as Balew’s scintillating sprint for the line left his three companions floundering, with Yator taking second place and Beyo third

McKinstry to the fore

Mark McKinstry, Jimmy’s Ten winner in 2018, was the best of the Northern Ireland squad and justified his selection by setting out with the leaders only to have an unfortunate fall in the first lap which left him isolated.

However, he is not British Masters cross country champion for nothing and he raised the biggest cheers of the day by holding on to 10th place — it could have been fifth or sixth, but for that fall.

Decision making

The EDAC squad opted for the shorter, open mixed race over two laps, 4k distance and all thoroughly enjoyed the race without feeling short changed by the lesser distance.

In fact, it proved a masterly decision as they were able change, freshen up and then to watch the world class action which was displayed before their very eyes.

Everyone concerned quickly realised that not only is the spectating side of the tape the best place to see the action when the Africans are in town, but also it prevents the embarrassment and humiliation of being lapped, perhaps several times, by these giants of the sport, as happened to several of the local, very good club runners.

Lesson number one: There is absolutely no humiliation factor to be experienced when you’re passed by one of these runners – as long as you’re behind the crowd barrier.

Mixed open race

Paul Carroll, from Annadale Striders, was the most prominent local in this event and he ran his best race for some time to claim a very satisfying third place. Best of the East Down contingent was Neil Curran, in ninth place, who is improving with every outing, followed by the ever-reliable Martin Willcox (13th), Davy Foster (16th), Gavin Hynds (30th), Paul Lloyd (34th), Gareth Reilly (45th) and Donal Smith (58th).

This was an excellent warm up race prior to the Intermediate and Master’s Championships which take place on Saturday in Barnett’s Park, near Shaw’s Bridge.

Women do well too

There were lots of positives too in the women’s race, run in conjunction with the men’s. Catherine O’Connor ran a strong race and was just outside a podium place by a handful of seconds.

Niamh Kellett, still on the recovery after injury, was relieved to run unhampered and to finish pain free in eighth place.

Joanne Foster ran her own race, as she always does, finishing strongly in12th place, while Kelly Smith (25th), far from being put off by the conditions at her debut at Mallusk last week, not only lined up again on Saturday, but has signed up for three in a row by putting her name down for the intermediate team at Barnett’s Demesne.

Well done to all and good luck next weekend.

Boys and girls

There were a total of 13 races on the packed card, starting at 10.55am with the girls’ U-13 2k race in which East Down’s All-Ireland silver medal winning team took part. Expectations of another successful day were high and supporters were not disappointed.

The team, led by the diminutive Lauren Madine, who was also third overall, was in outstanding form and easily claimed the top team prize. Lucy Foster was seventh and Anna Gardiner 10th to complete the top scorers and were ably backed up by Kara Trainor (37th) and Anna Kearney (55th). Congratulations to all concerned.

U-15 girls

Kirsti Foster was the club’s only representative in the U-15 girls’ race and as ever, she gave a good account of herself, holding off a three-pronged late attack to take an excellent 10th place.

U-15 boys

Mackenzie Murray was the only East Down runner in the U-15 boys’ race and as we have come to expect, he ran very well to take 36th place in the high quality field.

Primary school girls

Once again it was the name Foster which was on the East Down supporters lips as Jodi and Kari took to the twists and turns of the 1,200 metre lap round the lake, and when the runners came into view at the start of the long finishing straight it was Jodi who was prominent as she battled all the way to the line, claiming fifth place, while just 21 seconds behind Kari was fairly comfortable in holding onto 15th position.

And boys

Kieran Trainor had a long wait as his race was number 11 on the card, but he showed that he had not waited in vain.

Showing signs of his blossoming maturity, he bided his time before staging a strong finish to take 19th place in the 55 runner 1,200 metres event.

McGrady’s cross country

The junior cross country series, sponsored by McGrady Financial Services, is a five-race league for five local clubs — Newcastle AC, East Down AC, Dromore AC, Burren AC and 3 Ways AC with one race hosted by each of the clubs who take part.

The race, hosted by EDAC, takes place in Delamont, which is a great venue, but last year in this same month, the event could not be held due to the waterlogged state of the ground, so this year East Down AC as host club were determined to deliver and 101 athletes turned out in perishing cold and seemed to thrive on the muck and the undulating course with an uphill finish to test even the fittest. The joy and enthusiasm of the youngsters is great to see.

Gold dust

The results are still being processed and a full report will be produced to pay tribute to the achievements of individuals and clubs.

It has to be said, however, that many of East Down’s juniors who had competed at Dundonald the day before turned out again and in my view they all ran noticeably better, seemingly with a new found air of confidence.

So, who says that contact with the best, doesn’t make the gold dust rub off onto our children?

Thanks

In the meantime, we would like to thank parents of all involved for bringing their offspring and giving up part of their weekend.

In particular we thank the EDAC parents who turned up early to set up or who helped with registration, timing, marshalling or who stayed behind to clear up.

Without their support the event could not take place. Credit is also due to the coaches and senior members of the club for their part in the planning of operations.

This weekend

It’s NI and Ulster Intermediate and Masters Championships races in Barnett’s Park on Saturday, beginning at 1pm.

Please, ladies in particular, note the revised schedule as due to the numbers involved the intermediate ladies’ race will be a separate race at 1pm, and will not be combined with the

Masters Women, as originally planned.

See you there.

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