Berlin Marathon 29/09/24
In the year that North Down AC celebrates its 50th anniversary 2 North Down AC marathon runners took to the streets of the German capital for the 50th anniversary edition of the Berlin Marathon. Declan Magee and Nick Anderson joined more than 5400o runners who were noisily cheered by more than 1 million spectators and more than 80 bands along the 26.2 mile course from the Tiergarten, past many of Berlin’s iconic sights, to the final turn onto Unter den Linden and through the Brandenburg Gate to the finish line.
Declan ran a superb 2:49:56 and Nick whose training has been severely limited by injury, completed the marathon in 4:26:10.
https://berlin.r.mikatiming.com/2024/
Chester Marathon 06/10/24
This year’s Chester Marathon hosted the British Masters Marathon Championships. Runners were treated to a course that included hills in both England and Wales as they passed through the beautiful countryside surrounding the historic sights of Chester itself.
Sarah Gibson raced in the F50 category finishing 2nd with a new PB of 3:05:57.
https://ale.niftyentries.com/Results/2024-MBNA-Chester-Marathon
Cardiff Half Marathon 06/10/24
While the Chester Marathon may have crossed into Wales for a few miles, the Cardiff Half Marathon remained firmly inside the Welsh capital, starting outside Cardiff Castle and passing the Principality Stadium and the iconic buildings around the barrage and Cardiff Bay. The half marathon, part of the European super halfs series, always attracts huge numbers of runners to the superbly organised race in Cardiff and this year North Down AC’s Emma Fox joined more than 22000 finishers as she recorded a PB of 1:46:34.
https://results.sporthive.com/events/7231234663007034112/races/490468
Ironman Barcelona 06/10/24
Caroline Coghlin swapped her North Down AC vest for her Peninsula Triathlon Club trisuit as she competed in her first Ironman Triathlon in Barcelona on Sunday 6th October. She completed the 2.4 mile sea swim in Calella in 1:17:17 and completed the flat 2 lap 112 mile bike course in 5:52:55 before heading out for a 4:15:36 marathon. With transitions between each discipline she finished the event in 11:43:30, 18th in the F45 age group. Congratulations Caroline. You are an Ironman!
Scottish Districts Cross Country 05/10/24
Mark Carberry ran for Stirling University at the Scottish East Districts XC relay, clocking the 22nd fastest time over approx. 4k (12:46 v fastest split of 11:39), while Luke McDowell ran the West District equivalent for Glasgow University Hare & Hounds (12:43 42nd fastest v 11:01 fastest leg).
Bangor 10k renamed Seaton Classic 10k
There are few accolades that athletics clubs can confer upon their members; athletes race or compete in track and field events to run, jump or throw faster, higher, longer or further than before, chasing every position or achieving the satisfaction of knowing they put in their best possible performance in the circumstances. Wins, podium spots and personal bests at races and meets result from years of individual and group training, support and encouragement from fellow athletes, coaches, officials and administrators. While athletes receive deserved recognition for their achievements and acknowledge all those who helped them to achieve their success or be better than they believed they could be, those behind these results rarely receive and never seek wider recognition.
At their 50th Anniversary Gala Ball in the Clandeboye Lodge, North Down Athletics Club paid tribute to one of the stalwarts of the club, David Seaton MBE, an outstanding runner since before NDAC was founded and a man whose contribution to sport includes service as chairman of Athletics NI and Race Director for the Belfast Marathon, by renaming the Bangor 10k the Seaton Classic 10k in recognition of David’s continued outstanding service to NDAC and the wider athletics community.
Gala Ball photos pc Steven Donegan Photography