Springwell Running Club - Press Release 26th November 2017

Seeley Cup 10k Road Race

Saturday 25th November saw a capacity field of 1,000 athletes take on Willowfield Temperance Harriers Seeley Cup 10k road race in Belfast’s Ormeau Park with the race also incorporating this year’s Northern Ireland & Ulster Championships.

The bitterly cold conditions did nothing to diminish the quality of the racing with Kenyan Gideon Kipsang (Derry Track Club) securing victory from Northern Ireland International Scott Rankin (Foyle Valley AC).

Springwell RC’s Neil Johnston on his way to 3rd place at the Seeley Cup (photo by Richard McLaughlin)

Despite setting the early pace Scott’s efforts weren’t enough to stop the challenge from Gideon and it was the Kenyan who secured first place in 30.39.  Scott took second place and with it the Northern Ireland & Ulster title in a time of 30.56. Third place was a closely contested race and it was Neil Johnston (Springwell RC) who claimed the final podium place with a new Springwell RC record of 31.05. Danny Mooney (Letterkenny AC) completed the NI & Ulster podium in 31.09 and fourth place overall.

Springwell RC’s Jonathan McKee and Luke Dinsmore at the Seeley Cup (photo by Richard McLaughlin)

In the U20 race Luke Dinsmore (Springwell RC) continued his excellent recent form finishing 26th overall in 33.09 to win the age category.

The ladies race was a closely contested affair between Northern Irelands two in form athletes. NI 10,000m and 5,000m record holder Emma Mitchell (QUB AC) and Belfast Marathon winner Laura Graham (Mourne Runners) went stride for stride until the final kilometre.  As the ladies entered Ormeau Park for the final time, Emma surged clear to retain her NI & Ulster 10k title in 34.00. Finishing with a personal best of 34.19 Laura claimed second with Kelly Neely (City of Lisburn AC) completing the podium in third with a time of 35.49.

Springwell RC’s Ciara Toner setting a new club record at the Seeley Cup (photo by Richard McLaughlin)

Ciara Toner (Springwell RC) had another excellent racing finishing as second F35 with a new Springwell RC record of 37.01.

In the team competition, North Belfast Harriers secured top honours in both the male and female categories.  City of Derry AC and Springwell Running Club picked up silver and bronze medals respectively in the men’s race, while Beechmount Harriers took silver in the ladies table; Ballymena Runners secured bronze.

Springwell RC’s Alex Brennan at the Seeley Cup (photo by Richard McLaughlin)

Springwell RC Results - 3rd Neil Johnston 31.05 PB (2nd NI & Ulster 10k Championships) (New Club Record), 16th Jonathan McKee 32.24, 26th Luke Dinsmore 33.09 (1st MJ), 33rd Steven McAlary 33.46, 44th Paul Thompson 34.14, 66th Rhodri Jones 35.18, 122nd Alex Brennan 36.46, 128th Ciara Toner 37.01 PB (2nd F35)(New Club Record), 134th Stephen Joyce 37.11, 144th Barry Mullan 37.19 PB, 170th Bryan Edgar 38.05, 189th Alister Jamison 38.44, 200th James Stewart 38.52, 228th Maurice Walker 39.30, 236th Raymond McCann 39.42, 321st Karen McLaughlin 41.08. 537th Rebecca Elwood 46.49, 750th Margaret Edgar 52.26

Loop the Lough

The quickest and easiest way from Portaferry to Strangford is to pay the £1.00 fee and take the ferry. However, if you’ve a bit more time on your hands, there’s the 53.3 mile ‘Loop the Lough’ Ultramarathon organised by Atlas Running. Starting in Portaferry, with the finish in sight across the narrow stretch of water, runners follow the Shore Road to Newtownards before heading on to Comber, Whiterock, Killyleagh and Downpatrick before finishing at the Cuan Bar restaurant in Strangford and effectively running round Strangford Lough.

So at 6.00am on Saturday 25th November Springwell RC’s Helena Dornan took her place on the start line in Portaferry in icy driving rain and sleet with 53.3 miles of running ahead of her. Despite the rain clearing within an hour of the start the freezing temperatures and icy road conditions made for challenging running conditions which didn’t improve much as the day progressed.

Challenging as the conditions were, Helena’s experience was more than enough to see her finish 5th overall and 1st lady with a personal best time of 9.02.48 for the distance.

Springwell RC’s Helena Dornan – 1st Lady to Loop the Lough 2017

Parkruns
 

33 Springwell RC members took part in Parkruns at 7 different venues with one PB recorded. At Limavady Andrew Kincaid completed his 50th Parkrun.

Belfast Victoria - Patricia Craig 25.05

Queens - Deborah Gilliland 20.31

Portrush - Gerry O’Doherty 23.37, Gemma McDonald 24.10, Adam Pollock 24.15, Andrew Dowey 24.39, Mervyn Thompson 25.40, Jim Blee 28.06, Jonno Johnson 29.25, Alanna Millar 31.18, Kay Hack 31.51, Ali McAllister 32.21, Fergal Mackle 32.31, Claire Ramsey 33.23, Bob McLaughlin 33.29, Caitriona Mackle 33.34, Judith McLaughlin 33.44, Catherine Byers 36.14, Liadhan McAnena 36.32, Deborah Purdy 37.34, Pauline Duke 38.24, Rhona Laverty 40.19

Cheltenham - Alexandra Kirk 20.56

Ormeau - Fergus Thompson 22.15

Castlewellan - Stephen Smyth 22.33 PB, Sharon Bingham 25.05

Limavady - Will Colvin 22.14, Andrew Kincaid 24.41, Janet Patrick 25.59, Martin Smith 26.00, Paul Irwin 26.00, Andrew Wilmot 26.11, Eileanoir Blair 26.42, Roy Buchanan 26.52,
Julie Corbett 29.48