Podium Running Festival, Leicester, 15/03/25
Josh McDowell and Loughborough based Ethan Isles joined over a thousand club runners from all over the British Isles looking for a great 5k race at the prestigious Podium II Running Festival in Leicester. Josh and Ethan were drawn in the same race G, running close by each other for much of the race. Josh came home with a 16:24 PB and Ethan was content to tempo it out for 16:38 while still recovering from a recent illness.
Slieve Gullion Race, 15/03/25
Although the first race in the NI Mountain Running Association’s 2025 race calendar is one of the shortest events, runners are thoroughly tested last they take on @6.5 km of trails with about 340m of vertical ascent on the tough slopes of Slieve Gullion, giving them a taster of what they can expect over upcoming races later in the year. 3 of North Down AC’s mountain runners headed to Co Armagh for the Slieve Gullion Race in ideal mountain running conditions on Saturday 15th March with Gareth Hardy the first of the trio to finish in 29th place in 36:16. Willy Hoey was the next club finisher in 51:54 and Trevor Patterson crossed the line in 1:00:10.
https://www.nimra.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Slieve-Gullion-Results-2025.pdf
Jimmy’s 10k, 16/03/25
The Jimmy’s 10k in Downpatrick is established as a fixture of the St Patrick’s weekend, always selling out long before race day. Now in its 25th year the relatively flat and fast course attracts runners demonstrating the results of hard winter training, and ideal race preparation for upcoming spring half marathons and marathons.
Declan Magee was the first North Down AC finisher in 18th place in 35:55 closely followed across the line by 20th placed Francis Marsh 36:04. Dennis Scott 36:46 was 25th. David Massey cruised to a strong finish in 37:48. Fiona McQuillan was 4th female and 1st F40 in 39:46. Steven Boyd was among the first 100 finishers with an excellent 41:34 PB. Clair Quigley’s 41:43 secured 1st F45 spot with Luke Dobson finishing in 43:30. Sarah Gibson 44:16 was the 3rd NDAC lady and with Fiona and Clair secured 1st place in the women’s race for the NDAC team. Ben O’Driscoll 45:13, Julie Balmer 46:30, Gerard Adair 46:30, David Balmer 47:19 and Wendy Neely 47:37 were followed by Heather Beattie 48:00, John Ferguson 49:51 and Pat O’Driscoll 1:09:53.
https://www.championchipireland.com/index.html#results
Further photos from EDAC
https://www.flickr.com/photos/eastdownac/albums/72177720324490069/
City 2 Surf, New Zealand 16/03/25
The 12k City 2 Surf race in Christchurch is the South Island’s largest participation event. The race takes in a variety of surface over road and trails through some beautiful scenery. Jamie Coulter-Smyth had little time to admire the views as he completed this yer’s race in 40:49 in 7th place.
Barcelona Marathon 16/03/25
7 North Down men swapped the chilly Bangor weather for the warmth of Barcelona to race the marathon on Sunday 16th March. Unfortunately Stuart Anderson picked up an injury during the race and had to withdraw after 30k whilst on target for an excellent finish time, but despite the heat and other injuries sustained during training the rest of the group ran superb times. Alasdair Mair was first of the club members to finish in 2:58:57 with Darren Edgar 3:04:36, Tom Agnew 3:17:34, Philip Mulligan 3:19:42 and Chris Couchman 3:31:09 all running strongly. Richard Garrrad who has battled injury throughout his marathon training held on for a superb 4:28:18.
https://www.zurichmaratobarcelona.es/en/results/
Craic 10k, 17/03/25
Always one of the biggest races in Northern Ireland. this year more than 4600 runners completed the Craic 10k. Starting outside City Hall the route took runners up the Falls Road before dropping back into the city centre and along Botanic Avenue before finishing in Ormeau Park.
North Down AC were well represented with several club members officiating and many more racing, some even running their 2nd 10k in as many days!
Dake Murray was the first NDAC finisher in 11th place in 33:55 with Alan McConnell 36:40 (41st) and 91st placed Colin Walker 38:00 making the top 100. Keith Gilmore 42:08 and Brian Geddis 42:56 were followed by Jacob Sullivan 43:33 who was showing no fatigue after setting a parkrun PB on Saturday completing his epic parkrun challenge in support of Malone Tornadoes rugby club. Andrew Muir was barely slowed down by his green wig in 43:52 followed by Jill Connolly 44:01, Susan Black 45:38, Ben O’Driscoll 46:10, Sarah Wilson 48:01, Katlyn Massey 48:31, Paula Simpson 49:05, and Jonathan McWhinney 49:13. Mick Hall 51:52 was the next NDAC finisher followed by Beth Mulree 52:31, Sandra Hall 55:02, Caroline Gilmore 55:12, Dave Press 55:16, Stefan Butler 55:31, Olivia Boyle 56:12, Christina Steele 57:31, Cameron Jenkins 58:21, John Thompson 58:58, Jill Eager 1:01:41, George Emerson 1:05:08 and Pat O’Driscoll 1:24:28.
https://www.championchipireland.com/index.html#results
