Press Release 23rd July 2017 — Springwell Runners

The Kennedy Kane McArthur Festival of Running

Saturday 22nd July 2017 saw almost 350 athletes make their way to Dervock Village in County Antrim for the annual Kennedy Kane Festival of Running. Organised by Springwell Running Club and Dervock & District Community Association the festival, consisting of the Pure Running half marathon and the Centra 10k, celebrates the achievements of local man Kennedy McArthur who won Olympic Marathon Gold at the 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games representing South Africa.

The early morning ran gave way to dull overcast conditions for the start of the 10k at 10.45am which made for ideal running conditions. The undulating courses in Dervock always provide a challenge for competitors but Oliver Cook (Pace RC) produced an excellent performance to win in 35.39 with David Turtle (East Antrim Harriers) second in 36.15 and Steven Magill (Springwell RC) third with a time of 36.35. In the ladies race it was a closer affair with Caroline Irwin (Springwell RC) following on from her 5k win at the North Coast 5k with another victory in 46.25. Lynsey Grant (unattached) was close behind finishing second in 46.49 and Emma McKeen (Larne AC) third in 47.40

Oliver Cook (Pace Running Club) and Caroline Irwin (Springwell RC) winners of the Centra 10k

In the Half Marathon Neill Weir (Willowfield Harriers) had an excellent run, dominating the race to win in 1.15.39, over two minutes ahead of second placed Joe Malone (unattached) who finished in 1.17.44. Andrew McIntyre (Orangegrove AC) completed the podium in third place with 1.19.45.

Neill Weir (Willowfield Harriers) and Louise Smith (North Belfast Harriers) winners of the Pure Running Half Marathon

In the ladies race Louise Smith (North Belfast Harriers) in 10th overall won with a time of 1.24.09. Club mate Martsje Hell (North Belfast Harriers) claimed second in 1.28.11 and in third, continuing this year’s excellent form was Karen McLaughlin in 1.31.30.

Acorns AC Blue Belles 5k

On Saturday 22nd July 2017 170 ladies took part in the Acorns AC, ladies only, Blue Belles 5k at the Meadowbank Sports Arena in Magherafelt. In perfect weather conditions the race started on the Kilfaddy Road just outside Magherafelt and finished back at the Sports Arena with a final 300m on the track.

Current NI & Ulster 10,000m Champion Marina Murphy (Derry Track Club) was challenged throughout the race by Sarah Jane Guiney (unattached) until the final stages when Marina moved clear to win in 18.14. Sarah Jane took second place in 18.33 with Cathy McCourt (unattached) completing the podium in third place in 18.46.

Springwell RC had four members who made the trip to Mid-Ulster for the event. Janet Patrick 41st (2nd F55) 25.31, Julie Corbett 62nd 27.37, Paula Morgan 78th 28.43 and Stacey Montgomery 163rd 40.48.

Springwell RC’s Janet Patrick, Stacey Montgomery, Paula Morgan and Julie Corbett.

Parkruns

It was a warm calm morning at Portrush and with the tide on its way out, overall conditions were pretty good.

Andrew Wilson and Peter Donnelly were congratulated on reaching their 100th parkruns.

First finisher was Ciaran Rea in 17:59 and first lady was Julie Murphy in 20:22

This week 233 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 56 were first timers and 43 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 26 different clubs took part.

Results

Portrush

Andrew Gordon 18.07 PB, Chris Denton 18.14, Robert Simpson 20.27, Shane Elder 21.30, Robert Nethery 22.38, Mervyn Thompson 22.44, Joshua Hazlett 24.17, Andrew Wilson 24.29, Lauren Hazlett 24.57, Gary Kendall 25.00, Jack Blee 25.49, Donna Costello 26.11, Molly Blee 28.19, Emma Elder 28.28 PB, Rebecca Clarke 29.38, Rachel Blee 29.40, Emma Birrell 30.02, Roisin Walker 30.22, Deborah Purdy 31.00 PB, Kay Hack 31.28, Eva Gordon 36.52, Lyn Gordon 37.37 PB. Fiona Elder 37.38, Claire Crawford 37.52, Sarah Elder 40.27

Limavady

Will Colvin 21.18, Patrick Gallagher 21.38, David Shiels 21.52, John Butcher 22.50, Neil McIvor 22.51, Ryan Gray 23.54, Janet Patrick 25.20, Andrew Kincaid 28.09, Stephanie Lynch 32.13

Bushy

Liadhan McAnena 29.13 PB

Ecos

Christopher Capper 26.24

Brenda McGilligan 34.01

Queens

Catherine Shiels 24.46