Springwell Running Club - Press Release 12th November 2017

26Extreme Tollymore Trail Marathon

Saturday 11th November saw Events Company 26Extreme stage their very popular Tollymore Trail Marathon events in the scenic Tollymore Forest Park. This event offers runners the choice of a 39 mile Ultra Marathon, Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k events.

In the Ultra Marathon Springwell RC was represented by Peter Cromie and Helena Dornan. Starting at 8.00am this event consisted of three 13 mile laps of the forest, taking in some of the stunning scenery of the Kingdom of Mourne. From the start the race was dominated by Peter Cromie (Springwell RC) and Anthony Whelan (West Waterford AC) with the two runners matching each other stride for stride for almost the entire 39 miles. At the finish it was Peter who won by just over a minute, finishing in 5.00.14 with Anthony second in 5.01.41. In the ladies race Eimear McCracken (City of Lisburn AC) won over some very experienced opposition claiming victory in 6.01.08. Louise Smart (County Antrim Harriers) was second with a time of 6.10.52 with Helena Dornan (Springwell RC) third with a personal best time of 6.37.47.

Springwell RC’s Helena Dornan – 3rd lady at the TTM Ultra Marathon

Springwell RC’s only other representative at the event was in the Half Marathon where James Evans had his first experience of mountain trail running, finishing 225th in a time of 2.10.02.

Sperrin Harriers Winter League Trail Series

Saturday 11th November saw almost 200 athletes make their way to Davagh Forest for the start of this year’s Sperrin Harriers Winter League Trail Series with the Davagh 10k.

In the mens race it was Eoin Hughes (Acorns AC) who put in a dominant performance to win in 35.51. Northern Ireland International Shane Donnelly (Unattached) was second in 37.43, with Paul McAnespie (Armagh AC) third in 37.47.

Continuing her recent good form, Gillian Wasson (Ballymena Runners) narrowly won the ladies race, finishing in 42.39 just eleven seconds ahead of Julie Murphy (Lagan Valley AC) who finished in 49.50. Karen McLaughlin (Springwell RC) had an excellent race to finish third in 45.28.

Springwell RC’s Karen McLaughlin – 3rd lady at the Davagh 10k (Photo – Richard McLaughlin)

Springwell RC Results - 31st Thomas Moore 44.02, 34th Jeff Young 44.14, 44th Karen McLaughlin 45.28 (3rd lady), 45th Gary Moore 45.32, 49th Conor Burns 46.33, 60th Meabh Close 47.38, 62nd Timothy Bacon 47.40, 84th Jim Breen 49.37, 94th Catherine Pinkerton 50.53, 103rd Michael Johnson 51.28, 107th Thomas Close 51.57, 122nd Lynne Young 53.43, 135th Thomas Cassidy 55.00, 137th Elizabeth Deighan 55.16, 139th Annita McCullagh 55.20, 158th Andrew Wilmot 59.25, 159th Janet McNicholl 59.30, 171st Bob McLaughlin 1.01.28, 173rd Judith McLaughlin 1.03.21

Springwell RC’s Thomas Moore, Jim Breen, Lynne Young, Timothy Bacon, Michael Johnson, Karen McLaughlin, Jeff Young and Elizabeth Deighan at the Davagh 10k (Photo – Richard McLaughlin)

NI & Ulster Uneven Age Group and Novice XC Championships

The NI & Ulster Uneven Age Group and Novice XC Championships took place on Sunday 12th November at the impressive Finn Valley Leisure Complex in Stranolar in County Donegal. The already challenging course was made even more so by the strong wind and intermittent heavy rain showers.

In the U19 Girls age group Springwell RC’s team of Aine McKinney, Elle Beveridge, Rebekah Hunter and Abigail McBroom won the team event to be crowned Ulster Champions. In the U17 Girls Niamh Carr finished 3rd and Hermione Skuce 4th.

Springwell RC’s U19 & U17 Girls at the NI & Ulster Uneven Age Group Championships

Parkruns

51 Springwell RC members to part in Parkruns at 7 different venues with 6 personal bests recorded. Deborah Gilliland celebrated her 50th Parkrun with a personal best at the Queens Parkrun while Kenneth Bacon determinedly pushed through injury to complete his 100th Parkrun at Portrush.

Western Springs – NZ - Becky Coulter 25.09 PB

Queens - Deborah Gilliland 19.35 PB

Portrush - James Stewart 19.47, Alister Jamison 19.57, Bryan Edgar 20.10, Maurice Walker 20.51, Nigel Armstrong 21.53, Mervyn Thompson 22.39, Gary Kendall 22.50, Jude Moore 23.47, Robert Workman 24.22, Neil McIvor 24.36, Noel McAllister 25.00, Patricia Craig 25.11, Grainne Moore 25.12, Alanna Millar 25.28, Paul Moore 25.33, Rozzy Skuce 25.52, Camilla Long 26.46, Donna Costello 27.14, Debbie Tutty 27.42, Jack Blee 27.43, Margaret Edgar 28.04, Sylvia Pollock 28.06, Kay Hack 28.50, Sophie Moore 30.04, Catherine Byers 30.28, Caroline Taylor 30.33, Roisin Walker 30.54, Deborah Purdy 31.33, Pauline Duke 31.52, Rhona Laverty 33.30 PB, Ali McAllister 37.25, Lorraine Abernethy 38.38, Kenneth Bacon 42.59, Fiona Walls 43.00, Emer Thompson 52.34

Antrim - Fergal Mackle 26.58 PB

Carrickfergus - Elaine Montgomery 30.01

Knocknacarra - Eileanoir Blair 27.43

Limavady - Chris Denton 17.19 PB, Martin Smith 21.10, Will Colvin 21.20, Fergus Thompson 23.24, Andrew Kincaid 23.25 PB, Joshua White 24.42, Janet Patrick 24.44, Jonathan Lynch 29.37, Julie Corbett 31.14, Nicola White 33.35 PB, Heather McLaughlin 33.36

Mags Mathieson congratulates Kenneth Bacon on his 100th Parkrun.