East Down trio take part in Dundrum GR8

East Down trio take part in Dundrum GR8

16 October 2024

RUNNERS from across Ireland descended on Dundrum on Saturday for the annual GR8 Run.

This year the hosts, Murlough AC, organised two distances – a 3.5-mile race and the main event over 8.4 miles, both starting on Dundrum Main Street. The route for the longer distance is a stunning mix of road, beach and boardwalk, incorporating Murlough Nature Reserve.

Conditions were chilly with a brisk wind that tested all the runners along the two mile stretch along the beach.

Three East Down AC athletes joined the 899 other runners on the start line. The only male runner from the club was Daniel Giles, who was up for the test of different underfoot conditions and put in a strong performance, finishing 11th in a great time of 52 min 48 sec.

Two EDAC ladies toed the start line and Marguerite Robinson, who enjoyed taking on the GR8 challenge again, was thrilled with her time of 1 hr 22 min 48 sec. Helen McGinley was the second lady over the line and was pleased to finish in 1 hr 37 min 49 sec.

As always after the race refreshments were fabulous as always. Thanks to Murlough Athletics Club for another fantastic event.

NI Masters

Saturday morning at Queen’s University playing fields saw the best cross country runners in Northern Ireland compete for places in the NI team for the up coming British and Irish Masters Cross Country International which this year takes place at the Billy Neill Centre of Sport near Comber.

The ladies’ and mens race’s have all the runners broken down into age group categories, so each runner is taking on just the athletes in their age group.

In the men’s 45-49 age group East Down AC’s Neil Curran, who has represented NI before, took on the five one-mile laps of the Queen’s playing fields and was over the moon at finishing third.

Someone else who has worn the NI vest in the past is Paul Burns. He was in the 50-54 group and ran a great race, coming home fifth in his group and securing a place in the Masters team.

East Down AC had two ladies entered in the Masters this year. Catherine O’Connor, who has won her age group in past years, ran three strong three one-mile laps and crossed the line in third position to win another international vest.

Sharon Madine was the only newbie to take on the Masters trial, and she will be happy to have come in sixth in her age group, gaining a reserve position for the Masters race in a couple of weeks’ time. Well done all.

Mourne Skyline

Saturday morning also saw the return of the Mourne Mountain Skyline Marathon.

This event is split into two distances of 35km and 50km, with athletes coming from across Ireland and Europe to take on the challenge.

The 35km race route with 9,000 feet of climb, is a classic of Northern Irish mountain trail running. It includes technical and rocky trails, the Mourne Wall, and a final ascent of Slieve Donard with the finish in Donard Park.

EDAC had four brave souls taking on this mammoth challenge. Niall Gibney is an old hand at these events and was looking for a good time, which he achieved with an outstanding 14th position, completing the distance in 5 hrs 16 min.

Kieron Keown, who has taken on the Hill and Dale series and was making a big step up to the 21-mile distance over this terrain, will be happy with his 94th position and a great time of 6 hrs 40 min.

Next in was Barrie Atkinson, who is more accustomed to road marathons than mountain marathons. He put in a solid run coming in just behind Kieron in 6 hr 52 min 105th spot.

John Taylor has taken on challenges like this before and brought the club home in 7 hr 30 min for 140th position.

Well done to all 181 finishers in this very difficult race. The race winner was Caleb Nonhebel from Scotland in 4 hr 01 min.