Springwell Running Club - Press Release – 3rd June 2018

Bobby Farren Memorial 5k

The Bobby Farren Memorial 5k race, hosted by Derry Track Club, took place on 1st June in Eglinton Village and it was track specialists Conor Bradley (City of Derry AC) and Maria McCambrige (DSD AC) who emerged victorious on this very fast course.

Spartan athlete Conor Bradley made full use of the route as he smashed the course record to lead the field home in 14.46 with the in-form Keith Shiels (Foyle Valley AC) producing another great performance to finished second in 15.15, while Michael Bennett (Ballymena Runners) crossed the line in 16.38 to secure the final podium spot.

Olympian Maria McCambridge produced an impressive performance to win the ladies race in 16.54, a time good enough for 4th overall. Ciara Toner (Springwell RC) was also in good form, producing her second fastest ever 5k time of 17.26 to secure second place in the ladies race and 6th overall. Shelagh Murray (City of Derry AC) recorded 21.10 for third place.

Springwell RC Results - 6th Ciara Toner 17.26 (2nd lady), 7th Fergus Irwin 17.39, 19th Ryan Gray 19.33, 21st James McMullan 19.47, 29th Jason Scott 21.23, 34th Pauline Mullan 22.13, 40th Eden Whiteside 24.20, 44th Darren Madden 25.37

SSE Airtricity Walled City Marathon

Sunday 3rd June saw a field of over 1000 runners take on the 6th annual running of the Walled City Marathon. The overcast conditions of the morning quickly gave way to bright sunlight and very hot conditions for the competitors.

Defending champion Dan Tanui (Project Africa Athletics) retained his title with a new course record time 2.19.44. Team mate and current Belfast Marathon Champion, Eric Keoch was second in a time of 2.25.29, with Thomas Maguire (unattached) third in 2.46.40.

In the ladies race Louise Smith (North Belfast Harriers) led for most of the race and looked to have secured victory until a brilliant performance from Heather None (unattached) saw her take the lead with four miles to go Heather maintained her lead to win in 3.05.33 with Louise second in 3.10.14. North West athlete Denise Ward (Foyle Valley) raised the biggest cheer of the day in Guildhall Square as she crossed the line in 3.18.18 for third place.

Springwell RC Results - 67th Jason Scott 3.12.55 PACER, 93rd Dave Sexton 3.18.50 (3rd M55), 125th David McGaffin 3.24.53 (7th M50), 133rd Dale Corbett 3.26.11 PB, 151st Jeff Young 3.28.37, 201st Timmy Bacon 3.37.51, 225th Darren Madden 3.40.46 PACER, 275th Helena Dornan 3.46.11 (6th F45), 285th Nigel McNeill 3.47.29, 298th Davy MacNicol 3.49.36, 344th Catherine Pinkerton 3.56.57 (4th F40), 367th Gary Moore 3.59.04 PACER, 368th John Butcher 3.59.05 PACER, 386th Paul Quinn 3.59.57 PB, 399th Will Colvin 4.01.50 PB, 407th David Gault 4.02.49, 485th Chris Denton 4.13.30 PACER, 497th Ali Shaw 4.14.32 PACER, 528th Darren Walsh 4.17.49, 566th Stephen Cassidy 4.21.49, 675th Sarah Dickinson 4.31.47, 766th Noel Harkin 4.47.37, 836th Steven Miles 5.00.25

Irish Schools Track & Field Championships

The Irish Schools Track & Field Championships were held in Stranorlar, County Donegal at the Finn Valley Leisure Centre on Saturday 2nd June and Springwell RC had four of their junior sections representing their schools at this meeting. Great running from Matthew Beveridge saw him take 2nd place in the Junior Boys 1500m while in the Senior Girls 1500m Niamh Carr earned a hard fought second as Sarah Healey broke the Irish Record. In the Intermediate Girls 800m Hermione Skuce finished 6th and Elle Beveridge finished 8th in the Senior Girls 3k.

Hermione Skuce, Elle Beveridge, Niamh Carr and Matthew Beveridge

Ulster and NI Track & Field Championships

The Finn Valley Leisure Centre in Stranorlar was the venue for the Ulster and NI Track & Field Championships on Sunday 3rd June and it was a special day for Springwell RC as we had our youngest ever winner of an Ulster & NI medal. In the U10 500m, 9 year old Adria McAllister finished third in 1.44.23. Not to be outdone her big sister, Eobha also took a bronze medal with third place in the U12 600m with a time of 1.54.82. Mairi McClements wasn’t far behind, finishing 6th in the same race in 2.00.90

Eobha McAllister, Mairi McClements and Adria McAllister