Trainees take on parkrun

Trainees take on parkrun

10 July 2024

EAST Down AC members gathered early on Saturday morning at Dunleath playing fields parkrun, to help and support not only the event, but all of the Couch to 5K trainees that have been training hard with club members over the past five weeks to prepare for this great local and free event. 

The trainees have been working routinely with the help of James Magennis and his East Down AC team on Wednesday evenings to improve their running, and with all their encouragement they were ready to take on the 5K parkrun. 

With East Down AC members acting as timekeepers, pacers and marshals, there was plenty of support around the course. 

With warm conditions all runners put in great performances and should be proud of their efforts.

All trainees were awarded medals by club legend Joe Quinn at the finish of the event; well done to everybody involved.

Phillip hits 95 marathons

Sunday morning saw East Down AC’s marathon man Philip Vint make another step closer to his milestone of 100 marathons by running the EAMS Skools Out Marathon. 

After a short layoff due to injury, Philip was delighted to get back on the marathon merry-go-round. 

Keeping a steady pace from the off, Philip crossed the line in 4:11:24. 

He now has three weeks to recover before his next marathon and the goal to complete 100 marathons by November is very much on.

James on the podium at Mary Peters Track

On a wet Sunday afternoon at the Mary Peters Track, Annadale Striders held its afternoon of 3000 metres. 

East Down AC’s James Withers was the only red and yellow vest on the start line for the C race with 14 other top local athletes.

James from the gun stayed at the front and covered the seven and-a-half laps in 9:25, placing in first place which is a personal best for James, – great running in damp conditions.