Press Release 2nd July 2017
Ards Half Marathon
On Friday 30th June, over 700 runners took to the start line of the annual Ards Half Marathon in Newtownards. This was the latest event of the ongoing Pure Running Half Marathon Series.
Irish athlete Kevin Maunsell (Clonmel AC) set the early pace, opening up a 30 second lead on Mark McKinstry (North Belfast Harriers) in second place by halfway. Neill Weir (Willowfield Harriers) and John Craig (Victoria Park & Connswater AC) were in close pursuit.
In the ladies race, Gladys Ganiel O’Neill (North Belfast Harriers) controlled the race from the start opening a commanding lead in the second half of the race from Amy Bulman (Willowfield Harriers), Catriona Jennings (Letterkenny AC) and Louise Smith (North Belfast Harriers) who were contesting the final podium places.
At the finish line Kevin secured a comfortable victory 1.10.11 with Mark McKinstry second in 1:11:16 and Neill Weir completing the men’s podium in 1.14.19.
Northern Ireland and Ireland international Gladys moved clear of the ladies field in the second half of the race winning in 1.19.53. Amy secured second place in 1.22.23 with Olympian Catriona third with a time of 1.24.14.
Springwell RC had three representatives at the race with Sarah Dickinson 347th 1.53.42, Carolyn Crawford 412th 1.57.56 and Kathy Donaghey 631st 2.18.45.
Kathy Donaghey (Springwell RC) with local runner Catherine Lavery (Scrabo Striders) at the Ards HM
IAU World 24 hour Championships 2017
The Energia 24 hour race has grown in stature over the past seven years to the extent that on Saturday 1st July it incorporated the IAU World 24 hour Championships with the best ultra-distance athletes from around the globe taking part in the event at Victoria Park in Belfast.
The race started at midday on Saturday and finished 24 hours later on Sunday with the winner being the athlete to cover the greatest distance. Race strategy is entirely up to individual runners as to when they run or walk and when they eat and rest.
Japan's Yoshihika Ishikawa won the mens event with a distance of 166.27miles. Johan Steene (Sweden) took second place and Sebastian Bialobrzeski (Poland) finished in third.
Patrycja Berenznowska (Poland) was a convincing winner of the ladies race with a distance of 160.5 miles. Team mate Aleksandra Niwinska secured second place, with Katalin Nagy (USA) completing the podium in third place.
Completing over 100 laps of Victoria Park, Springwell RC’s Helena Dornan completed 106 miles in the allotted 24 hour period to earn herself one of the coveted Energia ‘100 mile’ jackets.
Springwell RC’s Helena Dornan at the IAU 24 hour World Championships
Parkruns
The low tide left a firm beach for the runners on Saturday with only a slight breeze.
Patricia Craig was congratulated on completing her 50th parkrun and Jim Blee on completing his 100th.
First finisher was Chris Denton in 18.03 and first lady was Karen McLaughlin in 20.14.
This week 169 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 14 were first timers and 52 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 15 different clubs took part
Results
Portrush - Chris Denton 18.03, Glenn Millar 18.59, Karen McLaughlin 20.14, Andy Deal 21.36, Connor Kendall 22.01 PB, Roy Buchanan 22.33 PB, Mervyn Thompson 22.40, Gary Kendall 23.08, Robert Workman 23.36, Pamela Howe 23.48, Patricia Craig 23.58, Kay Hack 25.21, Jack Blee 25.53, Camilla Long 26.00 PB, Bob McLaughlin 26.28, Melanie Millar 27.00, Toni Donnelly 27.07, Ali McAllister 27.18, Jim Blee 27.21, Andrew Wilmot 27.33, Deborah Archibald 27.53, Molly Blee 28.51, Judith McLaughlin 29.13, Rachel Blee 29.22, Catherine Byers 29.23, Elaine Montgomery 29.24, Deborah Purdy 31.10 PB, Roisin Walker 31.16, Ruairi Kendall 34.21, Emer Thompson 49.08.
Limavady - Aidan Devine 21.20, Will Colvin 21.22, Martin Smith 22.27, Jeff Young 23.59, Janet Patrick 25.12, Jonathan Lynch 35.32
Bushy - Liadhan McAnena 29.44 PB
Victoria Glasgow - Fergal Mackle 27.47 PB, Catriona Mackle 27.58
Foutains Abbey - Andrew Wilson 26.35
Colin Glen - Alistair Shaw 20.06