East Down AC have announced an exciting new addition to the running calendar
in a unique setting which promises to provide something for everyone early in the New Year. On Saturday 24 January to be precise Downpatrick Race Course will be the venue for the Toal’s Bookmakers Rollercoaster “Derby“, around the course perimeter road. Rollercoaster? - Come and find out!

Sandwiched between the Junior and Senior Cross Country Championships it will provide an opportunity for the top runners to do a spot of fine tuning to their form while keeping their feet dry, as it will be run entirely on tarmac and will also give novices and those for whom  5 miles or10K is still a step, or many steps too far, the chance to record a time over an accurately measured 5K (that’s 3.1 miles or in racing parlance around 25 furlongs) Jockeys are welcome but no horses!

There will also be races for P6/P7 Colts and Fillies, with a special shield for the Best Primary School Team (first 4 finishers to count) over a 1,000 metres distance as well as at U/13, U/15 and U/17 age group levels in a variety of distances in both categories. All local schools are invited to come along - it will be ideal preparation for the upcoming schools cross country races. An U/20 race will also be held in conjunction with the main race.

WALKERS WANTED

And unlike our equine friends there will also be some action for the Non-Runners!
The perimeter road is already a popular place for local walkers and they are urged to come along and walk a circuit in the company of some of our young up and coming race walkers. Race walking has waned in popularity in N.I in recent years but is staging quite a comeback in the Republic with several of its athletes turning in eye catching performances in the Beijing Olympics.

Emma Doherty of North Belfast Harriers, at just 15 years of age, is doing her best to re-establish the discipline with some stirring performances.  She broke the 3K record at the All-Ireland Juvenile Championships in a time of 15.20 and won the Gold Medal in the AAA Championships in August in a time of 26.23 and she and some of her walking colleagues will be coming to take part in a special walking exhibition in which all members of the walking fraternity will be welcome to participate - it will be non-competitive event but everyone will have a time recorded and can compare it with the experts.

The first event will begin at 12.00noon and there will be refreshments afterwards for all. Proceeds will be donated to a charity. The grandstand provides an ideal spectator viewpoint, offering full views around the course, so come along and enjoy the action, especially you parents of junior participants, bring your binoculars and keep an eye on your investments! In case anyone is worried there will be no fences or hurdles to be jumped and I would bet there will be no bookies either. For further details contact Joe Quinn 02844614235 or 07933214894 or log on to www.spanglefish.com/eastdownac