Press Release 1st January 2017

Greencastle 5 Mile Road Race

On Monday 26th December well over one thousand athletes turned out for the 31st annual running of the Greencastle 5 mile road race in County Tyrone, a popular fixture on the festive racing calendar. Northern Ireland and Ireland International Paul Pollock recorded his third consecutive victory in the event. The talented Olympian crossed the line in an impressive 24.52. Springwells only representative, Andrew Wilmot finished in 279th place with a time of 39.00.

Northern Velocity Muff Glen Trail Run

Tuesday 27th December saw Events Company Northern Velocity stage their annual trail run around the scenic Muff Glen just outside Eglinton village. The four mile race consisted of two laps of the forest trail through the Glen. The men’s race was won by Roy McGilloway (Foyle Valley AC) in 24.59 and Ciara Toner (Springwell RC) won the ladies race in 29.10 finishing in 16th place overall.

Springwell Results – Rhodri Jones 5th 26.22, Thomas Moore 15th 29.01, Ciara Toner 16th 29.10, Kerrie McIlmoyle 33rd 31.24, Peter Jack 48th 33.56, Andrew Wilmot 53rd 34.38, Catherine Pinkerton 55th 35.04, Paul Dornan 58th 35.34, Tanya Cartwright 109th 46.02.

Castlewellan Christmas Cracker

On Tuesday 27th December Newcastle AC hosted the 33rd running of the Castlewellan Christmas Cracker with a record number of six hundred teams descending on the County Down village.

Athletes are required to pair up with another runner to complete the course with some opting to run ahead of their team mate, but wait at the 'meeting point' close to the finish, while others run together the whole way.

The course, which measured approximately 8.6 miles in distance, started in the town centre before taking the competitors into the scenic Castlewellan Country Park, where they would negotiate several tough ascents and some excellent trails before heading towards the atmospheric finish line.

Pre-race favourites Mark McKinstry (North Belfast Harriers) and Seamus Lynch (Newcastle AC) covered the course in an impressive 49.47 to take first place finishing just over a minute clear of North Belfast Harriers duo Andrew Annett and Lindsay Gordon, who took 2nd place in 50.59.  Triathlete Russell White (Dromore AC) and mountain runner Zak Hanna (Newcastle AC) completed the top three in 51.18.

In the mixed 100-119 age group Gerry O’Doherty (Springwell RC) and Shileen O’Kane (Lagan Valley AC) took second place in 1.05.17 and Karen McLaughlin (Springwell RC) and Brian Geddis (North Down AC) were placed fourth in 1.06.53. Kay Hack (Springwell RC) and Barry Wells (Newcastle AC) were thirteenth in 1.29.02.

Inbhear Dee AC 5k Streets Of Wicklow

This annual 'Streets of Wicklow' sponsored by Burke Oil and organised by Inbhear Dee AC, has been taking place in Wicklow Town on St. Stephens Day for over 10 years and has become quite the featured event, what better way to run off the Christmas Day indulgences than a festive family 5 km  fun run, walk or crawl with a 1 mile race for the younger athletes. 

This year had over 500 participants with all ages, and abilities taking part making for a fun day out, whilst raising much needed funds for Inbhaer Dee Athletics Club.

Springwell was represented by Ciara McSherry who finished 48th overall in 19.06 as fourth placed female and second in her age category, and Martin Doherty 59th in 19.33.

Parkrun

Christmas Eve and although it was meant to be a low tide, storm Barbara forced the waves towards shore leaving conditions more like  high tide for the Portrush annual Santa run.

Sharon Bingham was congratulated on reaching her 50th parkrun.

 First finisher was Jamie McKee in 19.07 - first appearance and first lady was Karen McLaughlin in 21.38 - 37th time in 90 appearances.

This week there were 219 runners, of whom 19 were first timers and 6 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 13 different athletics clubs took part.

Results

Portrush - Chris Denton 21.35, Karen McLaughlin 21.38, James Stewart 21.55, Bryan Edgar 24.08, Mervyn Thompson 24.09, Jean-Claude Bourgeois 25.20, Andrew Wilmot 25.53, Patricia Craig 26.16, Conor Kendall 26.36, Robert Workman 27.00, Kay Hack 27.28, Toni Donnelly 28.00, Sarah Chestnutt 28.13, Fergal Mackle 28.41, Molly Blee 28.45, Jack Blee 28.50, Rosanna Jack 28.55, Lynn Montgomery 29.29, Graeme Montgomery 29.30, Donna Costello 29.37, Sharon Bingham 29.39, Catherine Byers 32.07, Elaine Montgomery 36.42, Eimear Quinn 37.19, Roisin Walker 38.07, Kenneth Bacon 39.10, Andrea Proctor 39.12, Fiona Walls 40.08, Margaret Edgar 43.15, Victoria Smyth 45.45

In Limavady Neil Johnston brought his current excellent form from the cross country to the Parkrun and set a new record for Limavady completing the 5k in 15.22.

Limavady - Neil Johnston 15.22, Patrick Gallagher 20.15, David Shiels 20.36, Alwyn Hunt 24.22, Brian O'Kane 24.23, Monica McCarthy 24.40, Valerie Hunt 25.08.

Bushy- Pam Howe 23.43 PB

Derry City - Warren McMIlmoyle 20.55, Fran McFadden 21.17

Queens - Stephen Smyth 23.03

Okanagan Canada- Nigel Armstrong 21.10