Springwell Running Club - Press Release – 23rd September 2018

26 Extreme Causeway Coast Marathon

The 10th annual Causeway Coast Marathon, hosted by events Management Company 26 Extreme took place on Saturday 22nd September along the beaches, cliffs and headlands of the north coast.  This very popular event provides competitors with the opportunity to race over 10km, Half Marathon, Marathon or a 40 mile Ultra Marathon distance and this year attracted entrants from the USA, Sweden, Australia, Finland, Canada, Germany, Poland and Belgium.

The first event of the day saw over 100 runners on Portstewart Strand at 7.15am in overcast, blustery, showery conditions for the start of the 40 mile Ultra Marathon.  After running the length of the beach the route took the runners along the coastal path and through Portstewart to follow the coastline to Portrush.  Once they had run the length of the East Strand and climbed to the coast road they then ran past Dunluce Castle and along the Bayhead Road into Portballintrae where the terrain became all the more challenging on the cliffs and headlands of the Giants Causeway.

As the day progressed the weather improved with the overcast conditions giving way to blue skies and bright sunshine, as the race made its way around the cliff tops to Port Bradden and Whitepark Bay. Once they had rounded the headland from the beach into Ballintoy the runners then climbed the winding road to Larrybane quarry at Carrick-a-Rede.  With 27 miles now completed all they needed to do was to turn and run the 13 miles back to Portballintrae.  The Ultra Marathon provided competition of the highest level with experienced Ultra runner Seamus Bradley winning in a time of 5.47.33.  Jonathan Gibson was second in 5.51.49 and Nick Weston third, crossing the line in 5.58.51 for third.  In the ladies race is was the very experienced Rose-Anna Hoey, who has represented Bermuda internationally, who won, finishing sixth overall in 6.10.49.  Second was Emma Burgess, finishing 12th overall in 6.33.25, with Julie McNamee third, 21st overall in 6.51.55.

Springwell RC were well represented in the Ultra event this year with David McGaffin the first club member home in 6.48.24 for 19th place, closely followed by Richard Ross in 24th with a time of 6.56.47.  Alistair Shaw was 37th in 7.16.40 and the very experienced Helena Dornan 45th, crossing the line in 7.31.57.  Taking on the challenge of an Ultra Marathon for the first time Dale Corbett finished 52nd in 7.40.16 and after a very determined effort David Campbell, who only started running in January finished 107th in 10.15.01.

The Marathon race followed the same route from Portballintrae to Larrybane and back with Irish International Martin Rea the eventual winner in a time of 3.26.49 after a close battle with Mallusk Harriers Lee O’Boyle and Springwell RC’s Chris Denton.  Lee finished second in 3.28.14 with Chris third in 3.28.54.  In the ladies race it was Tara Taylor, visiting from Kent who won, finishing 39th overall in 4.35.11 with Melanie Hawkins second, 52nd overall, in 4.40.47 and Sarah Mulcahy third, 64th overall with a time of 4.48.15.

Springwell RC’s Chris Denton at the Causeway Coast Marathon (Photo Alan McKeeman)

Springwell RC’s only other representative in the Marathon was Jeff Young who finished 25th in 4.19.10.

Springwell RC’s Ciara Toner – Winner of the CCM Half Marathon

The Half Marathon competitors raced from Larrybane back to Portballintrae and the fiercest competition of the race was between two Springwell RC members for third and fourth place.  It was the in-form Ciara Toner who claimed that third place and won the ladies race in an excellent time of 1.33.33 with club mate David Jackson close behind in 1.33.47.

26 Extremes Ian Cumming with Springwell RC’s David Jackson

Springwell RC results - 3rd Ciara Toner 1.33.33 (1st lady), 4th David Jackson 1.33.47 (3rd male), 31st Ross Armstrong 1.48.42, 36th Richard Baker 1.50.08, 82nd Nicky Frizelle 2.01.37, 253rd Rosie Little 2.28.53, 366th Carolyn Crawford 2.50.42, 367th Sarah Dickinson 2.50.42

The final event of the day was the 10km where Springwell RC had only the one representative with Jenny Moore finishing 106th in a time of 1.17.19.

The bright afternoon sunshine helped with a great atmosphere at the finish line, where friends and family gathered to greet and congratulate runners as they crossed the finish line and collect their hard earned, and well deserved finisher’s medal.  Speaking after the event organiser Ian Cumming stated “It is our pleasure, and honour to host this event annually on the Causeway Coast, showcasing the area as a unique destination for adventure tourism to trail runners from local and international shores. The Causeway Coast inspires, and challenges runners of all abilities, and brings everyone together as they tackle the diverse terrain, culminating in a truly special experience that can't be replicated anywhere else in the world."

Belfast City Half Marathon

The Belfast City Half Marathon took place on 23rd September with over 4000 runners starting the 13.1 mile route around Belfast from Ormeau Park.  Gideon Kipsang Kimosop (Derry Track Club) set the pace from the start to successfully defend his title, winning in 1.07.45.  QUB student Vincent McKenna (Acorns AC) produced the performance of his life claim second in 1.11.09 just ahead of Donegal XC Champion Karol Duggan (Letterkenny AC), who recorded 1.11.11 for third.

Beechmount Harriers athlete Gerrie Short claimed top honours in the ladies race, running 1.25.32.  Paula Worthington (Ballymena Runners) impressed on her half marathon debut, taking the runners up spot in 1.26.33.  In a close race for the final podium place, Collette McCourt (Dub Runners) crossed the line in 1.27.11.

Springwell RC’s Paul Irwin, Barry McCluskey, Cathal McFeely, Kenny Coulter, Stephen McLaughlin and Kieran Cooke

Springwell RC was well represented with a number of members recording personal bests.

Springwell RC Results - 73rd Steven Magill 1.22.00, 78th Bryan Edgar 1.22.40, 91st Aaron Moffatt 1.23.36 PB, 133rd David McAfee 1.25.33, 139th Darren Madden 1.25.47 PB, 141st Stephen Fillis 1.25.57, 153rd Alister Jamison 1.26.28, 164th Hugh Boyle 1.26.52, 313th Gary Moore 1.31.51, 504th Stephen McLaughlin 1.37.22 PB, 698th Kieran Cooke 1.41.23 PB, 716th Catherine Jayne Pinkerton 1.41.37, 741st Barry Mc Cluskey 1.42.13, 769th Meabh Close 1.40.08, 856th Paul Irwin 1.42.56 PB, 896th Ali Shaw 1.43.45, 938th Keith Nixon 1.44.32 PB, 1145th Mark Neely 1.47.04 PB, 1168th Jason Antrobus 1.48.40, 1194th Kenny Coulter 1.49.22, 1195th Cathal McFeely 1.49.22, 1398th James Evans 1.52.18, 1483rd Michael Mulvenna 1.51.40, 2094th John Butcher 1.59.42, 2095th Darren Walsh 1.59.41, 2151st Kate McNicholl 1.59.33, 2174th Janet Patrick 2.01.22, 2572nd Karen Robinson 2.10.18 PB, 2686th Fergal Mackle 2.13.02, 2793rd Margaret Edgar 2.11.41, 2862nd Catherine Byers 2.14.00, 2971st Colin Connolly 2.18.50