Springwell Running Club - Press Release – 8th April 2018

Omagh Half Marathon

Saturday 7th April saw almost 1800 runners take on the 29th annual Omagh Half Marathon hosted by Omagh Harriers. Competitors were greeted by perfect running conditions of mild temperatures, light winds and no rain.

Pre race favourites Stephen Scullion (Clonliffe Harriers), Declan Reed (City of Derry AC) and Greg Roberts (City of Derry AC) set the pace from the start and quickly moved to the front to dominate the race.

Springwell RC’s Steven McAlary at the Omagh HM (photo – Richard McLaughlin)

As the race progressed it was Stephen who took charge as Greg was the first to fall off from the leading group and despite his best efforts, NI & Ulster Senior XC Champion Declan, just couldn’t compete with Stephen’s pace.

Springwell RC’s Kenny Coulter, Lynne Young, Paul Irwin and Gary Moore (photo Richard McLaughlin)

Stephen claimed victory in 1.07.01 with Declan running a personal best of 1.07.55 for second. Greg completed the podium in 1.11.24.

In the ladies race Ann- Marie McGlynn produced a personal best on 1.14.28 to win the race with a dominant display of running. Nakita Burke (Letterkenny AC) finished second in 1.21.17 and Gerrie Short (Beechmount Harriers) was third in 1.24.56.

Springwell RC’s David McAfee at the Omagh HM (photo Richard McLaughlin)

Springwell RC was well represented at the event with a number of personal bests recorded.

17th Steven McAlary 1.15.49, 66th Fergus Irwin 1.24.40, 75th James Stewart 1.25.22, 105th David McAfee 1.28.00, 109th Dave Sexton 1.28.25, 124th Jeff Young 1.29.09 PB, 128th Alister Jamison 1.29.18, 131st David McGaffin 1.29.29, 167th Robert Purcell 1.31.27, 174th Maurice Walker 1.31.51, 175th Karen McLaughlin 1.32.01, 195th Timothy Bacon 1.32.54 PB, 232nd Davy MacNicol 1.34.39 PB, 244th Ryan Kennedy 1.35.00, 253rd Kerrie McIlmoyle 1.35.18, 257th Aaron Craig 1.35.32
311th Michael ‘Jonno’ Johnson 1.37.34 PB, 317th Niall Kennedy 1.37.34, 319th John Butcher 1.37.41 PB, 346th Gary Moore 1.38.45, 364th Warren McIlmoyle 1.39.22, 406th Robert Nethery 1.40.59, 472nd Peter Butcher 1.43.20, 488th Paul Irwin 1.43.24 PB, 493rd Paul Campbell 1.43.34, 498th Kenny Coulter 1.43.43, 509th Kieran Cooke 1.43.51 PB, 566th Ryan Gray PB 1.45.09, 568th Catherine Pinkerton 1.45.23, 570th Lynne Young 1.45.25 PB, 600th Mervyn Thompson 1.46.25, 629th Catherine Butcher 1.47.43, 852nd Brian Merron 1.53.30, 858th Aidan Devine 1.54.43
921st Dee Boorman 1.56.53, 926th Paul Dornan 1.55.49, 1016th Louise McDonnell 1.58.10, 1052nd Janet Patrick 1.58.58, 1055th Mary Brogan 1.58.38, 1313th Catherine Byers 2.07.33, 1353rd Andrew Wilmot 2.09.48, 1393rd Steven Miles 2.10.31, 1416th Alison Duncan 2.11.32, 1424th Roisin McCurry 2.11.43, 1545th Roisin Walker 2.17.50, 1592nd Kate McNicholl 2.20.37, 1593rd Fergal Mackle, 2.20.38, 1595th Noelle Watterson 2.21.06

Whitehead Easter Monday 5 Mile Road Race

The very popular Whitehead Easter Monday 5 Mile Road Race was greeted this year with rain and strong winds. Despite the conditions Springwell RC’s Stephen Joyce ran an excellent 30.56 to finish 9th overall and win the M40 age category.

Marathons, Half Marathons and 10k’s

Sunday 8th April was a busy day for Springwell RC with members representing the club at events in New Zealand, France, the Netherlands, England and here in Northern Ireland. Furthest East, and therefore first on the road was Becky Coulter who took part in the Auckland Half Marathon, finishing 470th in a time of 1.51.23. In the Netherlands our Canadian husband and wife team of Simon Stewart and America Aznar had excellent runs, despite the warm weather, at the Rotterdam Marathon. Simon came within 9 seconds of breaking his own club record as he ran a brilliant 2.38.45 to finish 94th, while America ran an excellent 3.08.44 to finish 783rd. In France, where the weather was even warmer, Alison McAllister took on the challenge of the Paris Marathon finishing 34214th in a time of 5.02.05.

Springwell RC’s Simon Stewart at the Rotterdam Marathon.

Closer to home three of Springwell RC’s members travelled to Manchester for the Manchester Marathon. Despite the fact that he had only recently recovered from illness Jason Scott still ran a sub 3 hour race, finishing 286th in a time of 2.56.58. Anthony Higginbottom was 1364th with a time of 3.21.05 and Helena Dornan was 3524th in 3.51.04.

Springwell RC’s Ali McAllister at the Paris Marathon.

In the TQ 10k three of our members took in the sights of the Titanic Quarter as they took part in this very popular 10k race. Gillian Jones finished 355th in 50.19 and Phyllis McGraw was 448th with a time of 53.22. Having already taken part in Saturdays Omagh Half Marathon, Catherine Byers finished the TQ 10k in 1.01.27 and 744th place.

Springwell RC’s Jason Scott at the Manchester Marathon.