Springwell Running Club - Press Release – 10th February 2019
Despite the best efforts of Storm Eric there were no cancellations to this weekend’s race fixtures with racing taking place on road, trail and cross country. Springwell RC was represented at the Glenmore 10 Mile Road Race in Donegal, the Roe Valley 5 Mile Trail Race in Limavady and, in what must have been the most activity there for a long time, the Stormont Cross Country on the Stormont Estate.
Stormont XC
Organised by the Northern Ireland Civil Service Athletics Club the Stormont Cross Country took place on Saturday 9th February in the Stormont Estate. Thankfully Storm Eric passed quicker than forecast and, after the volunteers had cleared the nights storm debris from the course, both runners and spectators enjoyed a great afternoons racing in bright sunshine.
The 1.1 mile course started just inside the gates to Stormont with athletes running towards Parliament buildings, on the left of Prince of Wales Avenue, before turning and following the trails through the estate to complete the lap. The Masters, for men aged 60+, was a three lap race with Springwell RC represented by Gerry O’Doherty and Jim Platt. In the M60 category Gerry ran a time of 21.36 to finish third while Jim was 6th in the M70 category with a time of 31.51.
The start of the Stormont XC (photo Dermot Boyd)
The final race of the meeting was the four lap, mens open race with over 200 athletes taking part in the penultimate event of this seasons Athletics NI Cross Country League. Springwell RC was well represented with eight members taking part who finished as follows; 29th Paul Thompson 25.38, 33rd Dale Corbett 25.48, 43rd Ryan Galway 26.19, 46th Ciaran Ferris 26.28, 94th Maurice Walker 28.55, 116th David McGaffin 30.09, 158th Alistair Bratten 32.27 and 204th Paul Dornan 37.51.
Maurice Walker (Springwell RC) at the Stormont XC (photo Dermot Boyd)
Northern Velocity Roe Valley 5 Mile Trail Race
The Roe Valley Trail Race took place on Sunday 10th February in the Roe Valley Country Park. Starting at 11.00am the race had the best of the day’s weather, taking place in light winds and bright sunshine. Starting at the Roe Valley Country Park Centre on the Dogleap Road, competitors made their way along the west bank of the River Roe before crossing the river at Carrick Mills and returning to the centre along the east bank to complete the first lap. One more lap and a final loop of the meadow completed the five mile race and it was James Thompson (Shettleston Harriers) who was first across the line in 29.12. Colin Dean (unattached) was second in 31.36 and Darren Walsh (Springwell RC) was third in a time of 32.19. Karen Wilton (Dog Trails NI) was the first lady in 33.06, Bernadette O’Kane (Dub Runners of Belfast) finished second with a time of 35.36 and Siobhan Gallagher (unattached) completed the podium in 36.37.
Darren Walsh (Springwell RC) 3rd in the Roe Valley 5 Mile Trail Race
Springwell RC’s other competitors were 6th Ryan Gray 34.38, 9th Gearoid Conerney 35.39, 14th Simon Mclean 37.30, 28th George Brien 41.19, 35th Alan Mcilfatrick 43.08, 46th Anne Marie McKenna 47.58, 52nd Iona Scott 49.47.
Armagh 5k International Road Race
The annual Armagh 5k International Road Race takes place on Thursday 14th February and, as always will attract the road racing elite to the city. In last year’s race a world record was set when an astonishing 194 competitors finished in a time of 16 minutes or less, firmly establishing the event as the premier 5k in the world for sheer depth of performance. Springwell RC’s Neil Johnston was already selected for the NI & Ulster Team in this event and this week the club was very pleased to announce that Ciara Toner received a call up to the NI & Ulster Team for Thursdays Race. Ciara has been in a rich vein of form and her dominant display in winning the NI & Ulster Intermediate Cross Country Championships on the 26th January made her the obvious choice for an international vest. Springwell RC would like to wish the best of luck to everyone competing on Thursday in Armagh.
Ciara Toner (Springwell RC) who will be on International Duty in Armagh
Glenmore 10 Mile Road Race
The Glenmore 10 Mile Road Race took place in cold blustery conditions on Sunday 10th February. Hosted by Finn Valley Athletics Club the race starts at the Finn Valley Centre in Ballybofey and takes competitors on a scenic tour of the Glenmore Valley. Springwell RC had two members in today’s race with Will Colvin 212th in a time of 1.19.03 and Pauline Mullan 273rd in 1.23.08.