Press Release 4th June 2017

Maghera 10k

The annual Maghera 5k & 10k races took place on the 23rd May, with the warm weather making the undulating, challenging course that bit more difficult. A large number of Springwell RC’s members made the trip to Maghera for the events with a considerable degree of success. In the 10k Ciara McSherry had an excellent run, winning the ladies race in 40.30 with Karen McLaughlin third in 41.55 and, in the 5k Dale Corbett took second in 18.23.

Springwell also claimed first place in the 10k men’s and ladies team events as well as numerous podium positions in the various age categories. Andy Dowey was 10th 38.05 (1st M35), Hugh Boyle 42nd 41.58 (1st M60), Meabh Close 113th 46.51 (1st F35), Elizabeth Deighan 171st 51.35 (1st F55), Colin Loughrey 12th 38.32 (2nd M45), Pamela McGlade 86th 44.51 (2nd F35), Bryan Edgar 14th 38.58 (3rd M50), Anthony Higginbottom 18th 39.50 (3rd M40), Pamela Howe 150th 50.31 (3rd F50).

Pam Howe at the Maghera 10k (photo Richard McLaughlin)

Springwell Results - Andy Dowey 10th 38.05 1st M35, Colin Loughrey 12th 38.32 2nd M45, Bryan Edgar 14th 38.58 3rd M50, Anthony Higginbottom 18th 39.50 3rd M40, Ciara McSherry 24th 40.30 1st F, Gerard Mullan 40th 41.47, Hugh Boyle 42nd 41.58 1st M60, Karen McLaughlin 43rd 41.55 3rd F, Nigel Armstrong 60th 43.24, Terry Glenn 69th 44.00, Simon McLean 74th 44.15, Ryan Gray 79th 44.36 PB, John Butcher 80th 44.37 PB, Noel Harkin 81st 44.37, Pamela McGlade 86th 2nd F35, Mervyn Thompson 109th 46.45, Meabh Close 113th 46.51 1st F45, Michael Johnson 116th 47.09, Steven Thompson 134th 48.29, David Boorman 140th 49.20, Pamela Howe 150th 50.31 3rd F50, Mark Neely 159th 50.49, Jim Platt 169th 51.25, Geoff Glass 170th 51.31, Elizabeth Deighan 171st 51.35 1st F55, Janet Patrick 200th 53.21, Elaine Montgomery 228th 57.02, Fergal Mackle 243rd 58.03, Catriona Mackle 251st 58.32, Margaret Kearney 266th 1.00.06, Jenni Allen 280th 1.01.18

Barbara Ferguson 284th 1.01.51, Colin Connolly 285th 1.02.19, Kate McNicholl 286th 1.02.19, Lorraine Abernethy 293rd 1.03.47, Stephanie Lynch 294th 1.04.47, Karen Robinson 296th 1.04.47, Emer Thompson 306th 1.08.50.

Springwell RC’s Ryan Gray, John Butcher and Noel Harkin at the Maghera 10k (Photo Richard McLaughlin)

Newcastle AC Hill and Dale Series

Race 7 was on the 26th May at Moughanmore, with Colin Brennan as Springwells only representative finishing 72nd in 43.36 and 4th M50.

Race 8 was at Millstone on the 1st June and proved to be another successful race for the Brennan family in this 11 race series. Oisin Brennan was 1st MJ and 16th overall in a time of 43.47. Sister Molly was 2nd FJ and 96th in 53.41 and dad Colin was 57th and 3rd MV50 in 49.15.

Carmen Runner 4 x 1 mile Road Relay Championships 2017

A total of 57 teams took to the streets of Carrickmore on the 26th May for the Carmen Runners 4 x 1 mile Road Relay Championships. This well-organised event has increased in popularity and attracts teams from across the province.

Derry Track Club dominated proceedings to retain the male and female titles they had secured in 2016. Springwell RC had two teams entered this year with David Shiels 5.27, Kerrie McIlmoyle 6.13, Fran McFadden 6.07 and Bryan Edgar 5.39 narrowly missing a podium place as they finished fourth in the mixed category and in 19th overall with 23.24. Will Colvin 5.55, Ryan Gray 5.33, Jimmy Stewart 5.34 and Dale Corbett 5.22 finished 7th in the men’s category and 12th overall in 22.22.

Springwell RC’s Men’s Team at the Carmen Relay – Will Colvin, Jimmy Stewart, Ryan Gray and Dale Corbett.

City of Derry AC Furey Insurance Buncrana

Mark McKinstry (North Belfast Harriers) and Teresa Doherty (Finn Valley AC) took the top places at the 14th staging of the Furey Insurances 5K road race in Buncrana on the 24th May, leading home 163 finishers in the very popular annual City of Derry Spartans promotion.

Mark McKinstry dominated the race from start to finish, crossing the line in 15.08, while Teresa Doherty recorded an impressive 16.35 to take the ladies title. Springwell RC had two representatives at the event with Steven McAlary having a fantastic run in his first 5k finishing 21st in 16.04. Conor McGowan also had a good night finishing as third MJ and 101st in 20.41.

Edinburgh, Liverpool and Newry Marathons

Sunday 28th May saw Springwell RC members taking part in Marathons and Half Marathons across the country. In Edinburgh over 6,000 runners took to the streets in hot conditions for the run through the city and out along the Leith coastline. Springwell RC had two representatives at the event with David McGaffin finishing 1071st in 3.45.00 and James Evans 3120th in 4.27.09.

In Liverpool almost 20,000 runners took in Liverpool’s world famous waterfront, Chinatown, Sefton Park and Merseyside’s two Premier League football grounds as they made their way around the course. Springwell RC had four in the Marathon with Chris Denton 32nd 2.58.05, Jeff Young 322nd 3.27.27 PB, Timothy Bacon 558th 3.40.44 and Aidan Devine 1690th 4.25.02. In the Half Marathon Springwell RC was represented by Lynne Young 2158th 1.55.44 and Keith McGillivray 2.04.24.

In Newry over 1,000 runners took part in the towns running festival for the Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k events. In the Marathon Springwell RC’s Stephen Fillis finished 47th in 3.25.21 and Richard Crown 49th in 3.29.06. In the Half Marathon Springwell RC had Gary Moore 33rd 1.29.47 PB, Catherine Pinkerton 122nd 1.42.31, Debbie Tutty 342nd 2.02.00 and Rebecca Clarke 418th 2.11.08. Springwell RC’s only representative in the 10k Zara Hunter finished 190th in 1.02.14.

Gary Moore, Catherine Pinkerton, Stephen Fillis and Richard Crown at the Newry City Marathon.

International Half Marathons

In the past week three Springwell RC members have taken part in Half Marathons while on their travels around the world. On Sunday 28th May Deborah Archibald took part in her first ever half marathon when she ran in the Ottawa HM finishing in 7008th in a time of 2.19.41. Also on the 28th May Alistair Shaw, while in South America took part in the Media Maraton Cali Colombia, that’s a half marathon, finishing in a brilliant 1.36.00 in temperatures of 30 plus degrees with 92% humidity. On June 3rd Kenny Coulter took part in the Whistler half marathon in Canada, a race which is preceded by officials checking the course with dogs, prior to the event for bear activity. Kenny had a great race finishing 80th in 1.43.22 and 2nd M50.

Ali Shaw having completed the Media Marathon Cali in Columbia.

Belfast Telegraph Runher Coastal Challenge

The first Belfast Telegraph Runher event of the year took place at Rockport School and Seapark in Holywood, Co Down as Northern Ireland basked in glorious sunshine. The event - a ladies-only walk, jog, or run - offered a 5km and 10km option on Friday 26th May.

The 5km started from the pitches at the back of Rockport School running down onto the coastal path and finishing in Crawfordsburn Country Park. The 10km event started at Seapark, just outside Holywood. Amy Bulman (Willowfield Harriers) crossed the finish line first, completing the race in 36 minutes. Judith Lonnen (City of Lisburn AC) and Julie Balmer (North Down AC) completed the top three in 39 and 42 minutes respectively.

Victoria Smyth 618th 1.24.03 and Paula Taggart 619th 1.24.04 represented Springwell RC at the event.

St Benedicts 10k Randalstown

St Benedicts College in Randalstown held their annual 10k race on Friday 2nd June. The work done by the college has seen this event establish itself on the road racing calendar with the numbers of competitors steadily increasing each year. This year Janet McNicholl and Colin Connolly represented Springwell RC at this event, where Colin achieved a personal best of 55.10.

Irish Schools Track and Field Championships

The Irish Life Health All Ireland Track and Field Championships were held on the 3rd June at Tullamore in County Offaly. To compete at this level athletes have to qualify at their provincial championships. Three of Springwell RC’s junior section, having achieved qualification made the long journey to Tullamore for event. Niamh Carr had an excellent race finishing third in the intermediate 1500m in a time of 4.47.82. Club mates Hermione Skuce, competing in the intermediate 800m finished 8th in 2.27.76, and Aine McKinney finished 7th in the senior 800m with 2.28.66.

Keelan Mullan Memorial 5k

The annual 5k run in memory of local teenager Keelan Mullan was held on Sunday 4th June. Keelan tragically lost his life in a traffic collision on the Drumsurn Road in 2013 and each year Drumsurn GAA and his family organise this event in support of worthwhile local causes and charities. Springwell RC had a number of members running in support of the event with Anita McCullagh the first lady across the line in a time of 28.44. Also there for Springwell RC were Joe McNicholl 26.35, Fearghal Close 31.40, Majella McAteer 31.40, Janet McNicholl 32.00, Colin Connolly 32.10, Caitriona Mackle 33.18, Kate McNicholl 33.18, Paul Dornan (no time available) and Rosemary Mellon (no time available).

Parkruns

Conditions were perfect for Saturdays Portrush parkrun, the tide was out, it was calm and the rain held off just long enough. Karen McLaughlin was congratulated on reaching her 100th parkrun. First finisher was Christopher Wilson in 18:11 and first lady was Lisa Finlay in 18.52 (breaking the female course record by 31 secs). This week 229 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 43 were first timers and 60 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 24 different clubs took part.

Portrush - Bryan Edgar 19.08, James Stewart 19.42, Karen McLaughlin 20.06 PB, Simon McLean 20.33 PB, Meabh Close 21.41, Jude Moore 21.43 PB, Andy Deal 21.48, Bernadette O'Kane 21.59 PB, Mervyn Thompson 22.38, Hugh Deighan 22.50, Thomas Close 23.01, Pamela Howe 23.20 PB, Joshua Hazlett 23.23, Grainne Moore 24.28 PB, Patricia Craig 24.34, Lauren Hazlett 24.41, Elizabeth Deighan 24.48 PB, Carolyn Crawford 25.18, Fergal Mackle 25.54, Jack Blee 26.01, Camilla Long 26.25 PB, Jim Blee 26.40, Andrew Wilson 26.54, Ali McAllister 26.57, Donna Costello 26.58, Lynn Montgomery 27.14, Debbie Tutty 28.02, Catherine Byers 29.18, Margaret Edgar 29.18, Rachel Blee 29.29, Lorraine Abernethy 30.37 PB, Bernie Drain 31.24, Jean-Claude Bourgeois 31.28, Kenneth Bacon 33.49, Fiona Walls 35.20, Molly Blee 35.29, Andrew Wilson 56.54.

Limavady - David McAfee 18.34, Ryan Gray 19.38 PB, Maurice Walker 19.44, Allister Jamison 20.15, Fergus Thompson 21.18, Janet Patrick 24.03 PB, Emma Alcorn 27.49, Andrew Kincaid 38.11

Hull- Gary Kendall 25.15, Kay Hack 27.30

Ecos- Christopher Capper 24.33

Enniskillen- Alison Boreland 31.06

Queens - Stephen Smyth 21.37 PB, Rossana Jack 27.01

Wallace- Johnny Wilson 22.55

Dundalk- Emer Thompson 36.00

Portrush Parkrun (Photo Richard McLaughlin)

Walled City Marathon

Sunday 4th June over 1,500 runners took to the streets of the Maiden City for the increasingly popular SSE Airtricity sponsored Walled City Marathon. Starting at the Everglades Hotel on the Victoria Road the course takes the competitors through local neighbourhoods and rural villages, crossing the River Foyle twice before finishing in the historic Guildhall Square. Springwell RC was well represented at the event with twenty four members taking part.

Springwell Results – Andy Dowey 45th 3.06.40 PB, Anthony Higginbottom 66th 3.12.12, Jason Scott 76th 3.13.48 (Pacer), Dave Sexton 96th 3.18.23 2nd M55, Ciara McSherry 115th 3.25.08, Bob Persil 161st 3.29.13, Davy MacNicol 249th 3.42.43, Roy Buchanan 273rd 3.45.53, Helena Dornan 340th 3.50.44, Nigel McNeill 353rd 3.51.31, John Butcher 468th 3.59.24 (Pacer), Gary Moore 469th 3.59.24 (Pacer), Ricky Wilson 483rd 4.00.49, Julie Millican 486th 4.00.43, Noel Harkin 499th 4.02.14, Paul Quinn 510th 4.03.14, David Gault 567th 4.09.53, Gregory O'Brien 599th 4.12.48, Paul Humphreys 707th 4.21.23, Noel McAllister 761st 4.25.30, Jim O’Hara 771st 4.27.09, Andrew Kincaid 916th 4.42.55, Steven Miles 942nd 4.46.52, Andrew Wilmot 1162nd 5.45.04