Philip and Helen in tandem at Kildare

Philip and Helen in tandem at Kildare

22 January 2020

ON a bitterly cold Saturday morning Phillip and Helen Vint were at the start line for the latest in the East of Ireland Marathon series, at Staplestown, in North Kildare, which also provides half marathon and 10k alternatives, mostly for partners, like Helen who feel it’s nice to be there to support your other half, but who feel that running a marathon with them is pushing things a bit too far, 13.1 miles too far to be exact.

The temperature was -3C when they began running and a sultry +2C when they finished and underfoot conditions were slippery by virtue of the frozen ice around the route. 

So, well done to both on completing what they describe as steady runs for their firsts of 2020, Phillip in 3.34.55 and fifth place and Helen in 2.03.43 and third place respectively.

Born2Run 

Saturday saw a big turnout, 207 in fact, for the sixth of the Born2Run Run Forest Run Series.

This week the venue was Gosford Country Park which will also host the NI & Ulster Intermediate and Masters Cross Country Championships next weekend.

The only distance on offer this week was 5k and the route headed out in a loop around the start and continued towards the outer boundaries of the forest.

The first 2k was quite level and took everyone into the scenic forest for 1k where there were a few small inclines, but overall it was a flat, fast course with a good run in the last 1k down to the finish line. 

No-one made better use of the terrain than East Down’s Jimmy Sloan, who fairly flew round the course in a superb 14.54, which was almost two minutes 

ahead of the second-placed Thomas Carson 16.44 with third place filled by Barry McAuley in 17.32. 

I believe this is Jimmy’s first win in club colours and it certainly won’t be his last, given his present form and continuing improvement, which in spite of hearing later that the distance was allegedly 200 metres short, nevertheless represents a great effort and time. Well done Jimmy.

As they have done throughout the series, the battle for the ladies’ prizes came down to a sprint finish between the two EDAC club mates Lauren Madine and Anna Gardiner who finished in 17.43 and 17.44 respectively, which was only 11/12 seconds behind the third- placed male runner.

Lauren’s mum Sharon continues to impress and has become one of the most consistent and reliable runners in the club, finishing fifth lady on Saturday in 20.41. So, well done to all three of you.

Junior cross country

What better way to spend a Sunday than in Delamont Country Park.

The EDAC juniors obviously agreed as there was a good turnout of them to take part in round four of the McGrady Financial Services Cross Country Series at the weekend. 

In fact, there was double the number that took part in the previous race in Dromore which unfortunately clashed with the All-Irelands, so some had good reason for missing out. 

It was great to see so many in action and equally pleasing to note how many of the junior runners were willing to help in the set up and take down of the course. 

EDAC were the hosts on this occasion, so it was all hands on deck to put on the full race programme and thanks are due to the parents and coaches for giving up their time to make it happen. 

The fact that the sun shone, took the sting out of the cold and there was no wind either, so it was perfect for running.

The club had representatives in most of the races and many of them made it into the top three of their age group. 

The conditions meant that it was not overly muddy, but the undulating terrain was challenging and meant that everyone got a good run out regardless if they were at the top end of their particular race or fighting against themselves to persevere to the finish.

A full report will be made to include performances of all the clubs, but in the meantime, congratulations to those of our juniors who made podium.

First in their age groups were Aaron Lennon (Year 8), Oliver Robinson (Year 9), Emily Burns (year 9), Lauren Madine (Year 10) and Mackenzie Murray (Year 11and over). Second places were Finn Gibney (P7), Anna Gardiner (Year 10). Meanwhile Jarlath Kearney (P5), Caragh Moore (P5), Rory Morris (P6), Alex Robinson (P7), and Kara Trainor (Year 10) were all in third place. 

All our athletes, irrespective of placings, gave of their best and most importantly seemed to have fun.

On a personal level, I feel that two items stood out for me as an interested bystander. 

Firstly, it was great to see that newcomers, our neighbours from Murlough AC, are starting to make their presence felt and will no doubt go on to compete strongly for team awards in the years ahead.

And secondly, the Year 8 boys’ event, which was the  race of the day, with Robbie Nicholl from Dromore AC throwing down the gauntlet to all comers by opening up a considerable lead on the first lap and having it picked up by East Down’s Aaron Lennon who worked tremendously hard to close the gap as the finish line beckoned. 

Moving onto the shoulder of the now toiling Dromore lad, just as they turned into the home uphill straight, Aaron was not to be denied and he sprinted alongside and then pulled away from Robbie to win what was a tremendous duel in the sun and was a real heart warmer for everyone watching.

Well done to both lads.

This is a battle which could run and run and I’m already looking forward to the next instalment.