Springwell Running Club - Press Release – 1st April 2018

Ballyliffin 10 Mile Coastal Challenge

Saturday 31st March saw the ninth annual Ballyliffin 10 Mile Coastal Challenge. Since the first challenge in 2010 this event has grown in popularity with almost 700 runners taking part in this year’s race. The Wild Atlantic Way provides stunning scenery for competitors as the event is held against the backdrop of the Isle of Doagh, Lagg, Malin and the local iconic landmark that is Glashedy, finishing on Pollan Beach.

Springwell RC’s Bryan Edgar and Michael ‘Jonno’ Johnson at the Ballyliffin 10 mile Coastal Challenge

(Photos – Richard McLaughlin)

In the mens race the first home was Greg Roberts (City of Derry Spartans) with a time of 54.26, closely followed by Gerard Gallagher (Finn Valley AC) 54.32 and Aaron Doherty (City of Derry Spartans) 55.31. The first lady to cross the finish line was Kiera Roche (Crusaders AC) with a time of 1.04.35, followed by Catriona Devine (Finn Valley AC) in 1.07.07 and Gemma McDonald (Ballycastle Runners AC) 1.08.16.

Springwell RC was well represented as thirty members made the trip to Donegal where a few earned personal bests for their efforts.

Springwell RC’s Andrew Kincaid and Jimmy Evans at the Ballyliffin 10 Mile Coastal Challenge

(Photos – Richard McLaughlin)

Springwell RC - 12th Bryan Edgar 1.02.50, 14th David O'Neill 1.04.25, 26th Jeff Young 1.07.37, 31st Glenn Millar 1.09.17, 35th Karen McLaughlin 1.10.08, 67th Michael ‘Jonno’ Johnson 1.14.40 PB, 91st Alan McIlfatrick 1.16.40, 103rd Martin Smith 1.17.31, 106th Timothy Bacon 1.18.02, 107th Kieran Cooke 1.18.02 PB, 121st Simon McLean 1.18.58. 124th Barry McCluskey 1.19.07, 128th Paul Irwin 1.19.06, 142nd Hugh Deighan 1.20.18, 157th Catherine Butcher 1.21.14, 175th Jim O’Hara 1.21.50 PB, 180th Cathal McFeely 1.21.59, 181st Kenny Coulter 1.21.59, 199th James Evans 1.23.04, 270th Emma Jamison 1.26.32, 321st Alanna Millar 1.29.21, 329th Elizabeth Deighan 1.29.51, 347th Andrew Kincaid 1.30.18, 385th Janet Patrick 1.33.12, 387th Kyle Millar 1.33.04, 409th Heather Coulter 1.35.14, 412th Bob McLaughlin 1.35.04, 441st Deborah Archibald 1.36.24, 446th Patricia Craig 1.36.51, 465th Ali McAllister 1.37.48, 466th Debbie Tutty 1.37.53, 474th Andrew Wilmot 1.38.52, 480th Jason Antrobus 1.39.42, 482nd Catherine Byers 1.39.10, 504th Alison Duncan 1.42.09, 511th Steven Miles 1.43.06, 530th Melanie Millar 1.44.09, 537th Elaine Montgomery 1.45.01, 549th Stephanie Lynch 1.46.33, 550th Karen Robinson 1.46.33, 551st Barbara Ferguson 1.46.34, 556th Judith McLaughlin 1.47.09, 571st Zara Hunter 1.50.01, 584th Amanda Scott 1.52.30, 587th Lorraine Abernethy 1.53.36, 620th Kenneth Bacon 2.00.43, 624th Rhona Laverty 2.01.38

Springwell RC’s Emma Jamison and Catherine Butcher at the Ballyliffin 10 Mile Coastal Challenge

(Photo – Richard McLaughlin)

Springwell RC’s Elizabeth Deighan at the Ballyliffin 10 Mile Coastal Challenge

(Photo – Richard McLaughlin)

Antrim Primary School 5 Mile Road Race

The Antrim Primary School 5 Mile Road Race took place on Thursday 29th March in almost perfect running conditions. The fast course produced some excellent times with the first three men all running sub 30 minutes. Aaron Woodman (Willowfield Harriers) was first across the line in 27.23 with David Conliffe (PACE Running Club) second in 28.04. Matthew Hewitt (East Coast AC) completed the podium in 29.37. In the ladies race Natasha Henderson (County Antrim Harriers) was first with a time of 33.18 while Kerrie McIlmoyle (Springwell RC) ran a personal best of 33.31 for second place. Linda Petticrew (Ballymena Runners) was third in 36.57.

The race was a very successful outing for the three Springwell RC representatives. Raymond McCann ran a PB of 32.14 to finish 8th while Kerrie McIlmoyle also ran a PB of 33.31 to finish 15th overall and 2nd lady. Barry McCluskey finished 30th having run a PB of 35.59.

Atlas Running Belfast to Dublin Ultra

On Friday 30th March the Atlas Running Belfast to Dublin Ultra Marathon started at the Crown Bar in Victoria Street, Belfast. The finish line was 107 miles away at St James Gate Brewery in Dublin. Taking on yet another huge endurance challenge was Springwell RC’s Peter Cromie who set the pace throughout the event and passed through the 45 mile checkpoint in a time of 6hrs 20mins. Peter was joined by Dubliner Alastair Higgins, a member of the British Spartathalon Team, as they finished the race together in a time of 16h 16m 00s.

Springwell RC’s Peter Cromie at the Atlas Running Belfast to Dublin Ultra Marathon

(Photo – Atlas Running)

East Antrim Marathon Series – April Fool Challenge

The East Antrim Marathon Series April Fool Challenge on Sunday 1st April consisted of three laps of climbing from Belfast Lough foreshore to the Knockagh Monument, above Greenisland Village, and then back to the Lough. The distance of 31 miles was challenging enough for all the competitors before the addition of a snow shower to the second lap, but our experienced endurance runner, Helena Dornan completed the course in 5.03.19 to finish as second lady.

Springwell RC’s Helena Dornan – 2nd Lady at the EAMs April Fool Challenge