Press Release 30th July 2017 — Springwell Runners

LacPatrick Milk Run

On Friday 28th July, nearly two hundred athletes took to the streets of Ballymoney for the annual LacPatrick Milk Run 5 mile road race hosted by Springwell Running Club.

The heavy showers abated just before the start of the race leaving perfect running conditions for what proved to be a night of record breaking performances. Neil Johnston (Springwell RC) won the event in 25.26, setting a new club record for the distance while in the ladies race Breege Connolly (City of Derry AC) broke the 14 year old ladies course record, previously held by fellow City of Derry athlete Anne Paul, with a time of 28.23.

Neil Johnston (Springwell RC) and Breege Connolly (Derry City AC) at the Lacpatrick 5 Mile Milk Run (photo Alan McKeeman)

In the mens race Neil dominated the event, almost a minute ahead of last year’s winner Jonny Steede (Glens Runners) who finished second in 26.25. The podium was completed by Luke Dinsmore (Springwell RC) who finished third with a time of 26.51.

Alderman Tom McKeown, Jonny Steede (Glens Runners), Neil Johnston (Springwell), Luke Dinsmore (Springwell) and Race Director Kenneth Bacon (Springwell RC).

Olympian Breege Connolly recorded an excellent 28.23 for 1st place in the ladies race and 5th place overall. Ciara Toner (Springwell RC) crossed the line in a time of 30.30 for second place and Cathy McCourt (Unattached) continued her return to competitive action with a 31.51 finish for third place.

Alderman Tom McKeown. Ciara Toner (Springwell RC), Breege Connolly (Derry City AC), Cathy McCourt (unattached) and Race Director Kenneth Bacon (Springwell RC)

Springwell Results

1st Neil Johnston 25.26 (New Club Record), 3rd Luke Dinsmore 26.51, 7th Steven Magill 28.39 (1st M40), 11th Dale Corbett 30.10 (1st MJ), 12th Stephen Fillis 30.26, 13th Andy Dowey 30.29, 14th Ciara Toner 30.30 (1st lady), 15th David O'Neil 30.32, 20th James Stewart 31.32, 21st Jeff Young 31.44, 29th Raymond McCann 32.36, 32nd David Shiels 32.37 (1st M50), 33rd Maurice Walker 32.40, 34th Allister Jamison 32.45, 40th Mark Allison 33.33, 44th Alan McIlfatrick, 49th Caroline Irwin 35.04, 53rd Terry Glenn 35.53, 54th Simon McLean 35.57, 57th Jean-Claude Bourgeous 36.13, 58th Mervyn Thompson 36.18, 64th Catherine Shiels 37.02, 65th Paul Quinn 37.02, 69th David Boorman 37.12, 70th Hugh Deighan 37.15, 72nd Geoff Glass 37.56, 73rd Lynne Young 37.59, 82nd Noel McAllister 38.55, 89th Andrew Wilson, 39.35, 90th Mark Neely 39.38, 94th Sarah Dickinson 40.03, 97th Elizabeth Deighan 40.16 (1st F55), 100th Ali McAllister 40.36, 101st Helena Dornan 40.36, 103rd Jim Platt 40.50 (1st M65), 107th Carolyn Crawford 41.08, 109th Alanna Millar 41.51, 112th Janet Patrick 42.01, 121st Mary Brogan 43.19, 131st Margaret Edgar 45.41, 132nd Ingrid Hamilton 45.42, 134th Deborah Archibald 46.05, 135th Catherine Byers 46.24 PB, 139th David Hughes 46.47, 149th Hayley Neely 48.22, 150th Roisin Walker 48.28, 151st Emma Birrell 49.00, 156th Emer Thompson 50.29, 160th Deborah Purdy 51.36, 161st Caoimhe Armstrong 51.36, 166th Monica McClenaghan 53.37, 167th Elaine Montgomery 53.37, 168th Fiona Walker 53.37, 172nd Megan Timms 58.09 PB, 173rd Rhona Laverty 58.09

Cookstown Half Marathon

On Sunday 30th July over 300 athletes took part in this year’s Cookstown Half Marathon. In his first competitive race at this distance Steven McAlary (Springwell RC) had an excellent event, dominating the race to win in a time of 1.15.43, almost 5 minutes ahead of second placed Eoin Hughes (Acorns AC), who crossed the line in 1.20.39. Christopher Huitson (Tyne Bridge Harriers) completed the podium in third, with a time of 1.21.58.

In the ladies race Louise Smith (North Belfast Harriers) took first place, and 5th overall with a time of 1.25.53. Joanne Foster (unattached) was second with Catherine Roberts (North Down AC) third in 1.37.41.

Springwell RC Results - 1st Steven McAlary 1.15.43 PB, 30th Gary Moore 1.36.22, 69th Patrick Gallagher 1.43.51, 106th Will Colvin 1.49.55, 279th Helena Dornan 2.14.36 (Pacer), 288th Andrew Kincaid 2.17.06

Springwell RC’s Steven McAlary at the Cookstown Half Marathon (Photo Ciaran Kelly)

World Mountain Running Championships

The World Mountain Running Championships took place on Sunday 30th July at Premana, a small village on the Val Varrone Alps, in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. The 6.5km ringed lap, which incorporated 430m of ascent and descent round and through the village contained all the features of mountain running and was specifically designed to enhance the event by showcasing the athletes’ technical skills to the spectators.

Springwell RC’s Oisin Brennan, with his recent excellent performances had earned selection to represent Ireland in the Junior Mens (U20’s) event. In his first appearance in such an event, competing against the best in the world Oisin ran 35.03 to finish in 55th with the Irish team in 11th place.

Team Ireland at the World Mountain Running Championships in Premana, Italy

Parkruns

It was another pleasant morning for the Portrush parkrun. The tide was on its way in but the sand was reasonably firm underfoot. There was a strong headwind at times on the return 2.5K which no doubt affected the times.

David Knox was congratulated on reaching his 100th parkrun.

First finisher was Peter Moffett in 17:37 and first lady was Claire Moffett in 19:01

This week 262 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 62 were first timers and 18 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 26 different clubs took part.

Portrush parkrun will not have use of the Watersports Centre on Saturday 5th August but apart from that it's business as usual.

Results

Portrush - Jude Moore 23.03, Mervyn Thompson 23.17, Gary Kendall 23.56, Joshua Hazlett 24.19, Lauren Hazlett 25.26, Molly Blee 27.17, Jack Blee 27.38, Donna Costello 27.59, Ali McAllister 28.12, Abby Tutty 28.43 PB, Debbie Tutty 28.46, Bob McLaughlin 29.04, Rachel Blee 29.42, Judith McLaughlin 30.13, Elaine Montgomery 30.27, Lynn Montgomery 30.43, Deborah Purdy 32.03, Eimear Quinn 32.03, Emma Birrell 32.04, Abi Smyth 32.43 PB Stephen Smyth 32.44, Caoimhe Armstrong 34.41, Kenneth Bacon 36.00, Jim Blee 37.03, Victoria Smyth 40.04, Hannah Smyth 41.41, Roisin Walker 48.57

In Limavady the Parkrun was a graduation ceremony for the Garvagh C25k group. The C25k programme is designed for people who have little or no experience of running and facilitates their training with the aim of being able to run the 5 km distance, so facilitated by the Causeway Coast and Glens Council and Springwell RC this group have been working hard over the past ten weeks in preparation for their big day which they all completed in high spirits with flying colours.

Limavady

Thomas Moore 19.23, David McGaffin 21.07 PB, Fergus Thompson 21.19, Martin Smith 21.33, Catherine Shiels 22.59, Jeff Young 23.00, Andrew Wilson 24.25, Annita McCullagh 24.43, Grainne Moore 24.46, Paul Moore 24.59, Janet Patrick 25.50, Eileanoir Blair 26.26, Andrew Kincaid 27.36, Rebecca Donaghy 27.39, Margaret Kearney 27.42, Bridgeen Canning 27.44, David Boorman 27.49, Gary Moore 27.50, Julie Corbett 27.59, Emma Elder 28.11, Sinead Kearney 28.51, Michelle McManus 28.55, Denise Mullan 29.25 PB, Linda Dickson 30.32 PB, Sylvia Pollock 30.53, Siobhan McIntyre 31.56, Mariette Mulvenna 32.12, Lyn Gordon 33.30, Roisin McAteer 34.21, Mairead McNicholl 34.34, Lauren Andrews 34.57, Heidi Steele 35.23, David Gault 35.54, Geraldine McAleese 38.15, Emer Thompson 40.54, John Butcher 46.35

Derry City

Patricia Craig 24.52