Springwell Running Club - Press Release – 13th May 2018

It’s been a very busy week for Springwell RC with members running in events in Belfast, Gulladuff, Newcastle, Strabane, Bristol, Milton Keynes and Stranorlar.

Belfast City Marathon

The Mayday bank holiday saw the traditional Belfast City Marathon with 17,000 runners taking to the city streets for the Marathon and associated relay race. The day’s event was overshadowed by the tragic death of Limavady man, Stephen Heaney who collapsed on the Sydenham bypass and Springwell RC would like to offer their condolences to Stephen’s family and friends.

Springwell RC’s Pamela Mooney, Kenny Bacon, Karen McLaughlin, Michael Johnson and Helena Dornan. (Photo – Richard McLaughlin)

The race was dominated by the Kenyan athletes with Eric Koech winning the mens event in 2.18.19 and Caroline Jepchirchir won the ladies race in 2.41.23. As always Springwell RC were well represented at the event and even had four of our members assisting the masses by providing pacing. Darren Walsh, Chris Denton, Ali Shaw and John Butcher brought their combined experience of over 200 marathons to assist runners in achieving their targets.

Springwell RC Results - 163rd Hugh Boyle 3.19.44, 168th Karen McLaughlin 3.19.28, 221st Michael Johnson 3.25.22 PB, 259th Dale Corbett 3.27.52 PB, 298th Terry Glenn 3.31.10 PB, 430th Simon McLean 3.42.42, 437th Bob Purcell 3.43.11, 440th Nigel McNeill 3.42.45, 466th Nelson Hanna 3.44.11 PB, 508th John Gordon 3.47.49, 517th Graeme Morrison 3.43.20, 529th Richard Baker 3.48.07, 538th Pamela Mooney 3.49.39, 593rd Keith Nixon 3.50.40, 750th Chris Denton 3.58.13 (PACE), 755th John Butcher 3.58.21 (PACE), 778th Helena Dornan 4.00.16, 995th Ali Shaw 4.13.39 (PACE), 1114th Stephen Cassidy 4.20.31, 1187th Owen Anderson 4.25.20 PB, 1305th Darren Walsh 4.30.45 (PACE), 1425th Andrew Kincaid 4.39.58 PB, 2135th Fergal Mackle 5.59.35, 2194th Andrew Wilmot 6.39.07

Springwell RC’s Darren Walsh, Chris Denton, Ali Shaw and John Butcher pace the BCM (Photo – Helena Dornan)

In the relay race Springwell RC had nine teams taking part, 8 based on a Wacky Races theme.

215th Geoff’s Lazy Looks 3.41.51, 247th Caitrionas Can't Run Hill Mob 3.44.12, 253rd Margaret Flip Stop 3.44.27, 260th The Reliables 3.44.47, 445th Kate Dashardly 3.55.11, 591st Colins Muttleys 4.00.31, 664th Meabhs Ruffcuts 4.03 44, 909th Grainnes Gruesomes 4.13.07, 935 Professor Paul Pending 4.14.09

Milton Keynes Half Marathon

The Milton Keynes Half Marathon was also on the Bank Holiday Monday and took place in very hot conditions. Representing Springwell RC were Catherine Bell – Allen and Dave King who finished 833rd and 834th respectively in a time of 2.03.10. As preparation for the Half Marathon they had taken part in the Rocket 5k on Sunday 6th May where Dave finished 477th in 24.41 and Catherine 480th in 24.44.

Springwell RC’s Catherine Bell – Allen and Dave King at the Milton Keynes Weekend of Running

Termoneeny 5 & 10k

Nearly 300 athletes turned out on Friday 11th May for the very popular Termoneeny 10k road race hosted by Termoneeny Running Club. The rain and strong winds of the day gave way to perfect running conditions for the event which made for an excellent nights racing.

Keith Shiels (Foyle Valley AC) led from the start and claimed victory in 32.08 edging Eoin Hughes (Acorns AC) into second place in 32.38. Seamus Bradley (unattached) completed the podium in third with a time of 35.16.

In the ladies race it was the in-form Gemma McDonald (Ballycastle Runners) who led throughout, winning in a time of 39.12. Grace Carson (Mid Ulster AC) produced a strong finish to claim second in 39.23 with Helena Quinn (Termoneeny RC) taking third in 39.46.

Springwell RC had a successful evening with a number of personal bests and age category places. Barry Mullan won the M40 category with Alex Brennan in second while David McGaffin took first place in the M50 category.

Springwell RC’s Paul Quinn, Alex Brennan, Alister Jamison, Maurice Walker, Andy Dowey, Barry Mullan and Jimmy Stewart.

Springwell RC Results

5k - 14th Jim Glasgow 21.50, 15th Jim Breen 21.54

10k - 6th Barry Mullan 36.52 (1st M40) PB, 7th Alex Brennan 36.53 (2nd M40), 12th Jimmy Stewart 37.55 PB, 22nd Alister Jamison 38.54, 28th David McGaffin 39.38 (1st M50) PB, 29th Maurice Walker 39.43, 36th Andy Dowey 40.12, 120th Paul Quinn 47.32, 163rd Louise Hanna 51.19, 235th Elaine Montgomery 58.25, 244th Catherine Byers 59.06, 248th Emer Thompson 1.00.13 PB, 285th Sandra Williamson 1.10.55

Strabane – Lifford Half Marathon

Sunday 13th May was the 5th cross border Strabane – Lifford Half Marathon. Who knows what problems Brexit negotiations may have for the future of this event, which starts in Strabane and crosses the border into Lifford before following the N15 to cross the border again at Clady Bridge to return to Strabane and finish at the Melvin Complex in the Ballycolman Estate?

2018 saw 942 runners complete the course in bright sunshine with Springwell RC’s Bryan Edgar winning the M50 age category and a number of others claiming personal bests.

Springwell RC Results - 14th Bryan Edgar 1.22.23 (1st M50), 22nd Fergus Irwin 1.24.21 PB, 40th Dale Corbett 1.28.46, 89th Patrick Gallagher 1.33.54, 90th Gary Moore 1.33.53, 103rd Michael Johnson 1.35.08 PB, 121st Ryan Kennedy 1.36.31, 238th Mervyn Thompson 1.43.37, 253rd Barry Mc McCluskey 1.44.00, 267th Mandy Stewart 1.44.02 PB, 297th Will Colvin 1.44.38, 335th Pauline Mullan 1.46.55, 394th Peter Butcher 1.49.57, 399th Pam Howe 1.50.57 PB, 429th Dee Boorman 1.52.37 PB, 525th Louise Hanna 1.57.07

Springwell RC’s Gary Moore, Will Colvin and Patrick Gallagher at the Strabane – Lifford Half Marathon

Slieve Donard Classic Mountain Race

Saturday 12th May saw the annual Slieve Donard Mountain Race take place in bright sunshine in the Kingdom of Mourne. Starting in Newcastle Main Street, competitors’ race to the top of Northern Irelands highest peak, Slieve Donard (850m) before descending to finish at Donard Park, a total distance of 5.8 miles.

Springwell RC’s only representative at the event was Alistair Shaw who finished 113th in a time of 1.33.15.

Donegal Senior Athletics Track & Field

The Donegal Senior Athletics Track & Field took place on Sunday 13th May at the Finn Valley Athletic Centre in Stranorlar. In the 800m Springwell RC’s Jonathan McKee ran a 2.00.20 to take third place while in the 3000m Steven McAlary also claimed a third place finish with a time of 9.14.39.

Springwell RC’s Steven McAlary and Jonathan McKee at the Donegal Seniors Athletics T&F

Simplyhealth Great Bristol 10k

Springwell RC’s Lorraine Abernethy joined over 12,000 runners to take part in the Simplyhealth Great Bristol 10k on Sunday 13th May. Despite starting at 9.15am runners were faced with balmy conditions as the early morning temperatures quickly reached 16c. Lorraine finished in 8060th with a time of 1.06.33.