Springwell Running Club - Press Release – May 19th 2019

Dream Run Dublin 2019

The Dream Run Dublin Project, established by Olympian Paul Pollock is now in its third year and Springwell RC member Ryan Galway has been selected this year as one of the ten to be coached by Paul until marathon race day.

The overall aim of the project is to improve the marathon times of Northern Irelands marathon runners and to increase representation at major international championships.

The target for the ten athletes selected for Paul's attentions is to be able to run a sub 3 hour marathon in this year’s Dublin Marathon.

While a keen and talented runner, Ryan's experiences of the marathon distance are limited to an appearance at the Belfast Marathon many years ago and the 26 Extreme Causeway Coast Marathon in 2016, so he is open to any and all advice and guidance.

DAC running in Magherafelt have very generously agreed to provide that most important part of any runners equipment, the shoes, for Ryan's training as well as for race day.

Proprietor Darren Church, a very experienced marathoner and a sub 3 hour runner himself, spent Thursday morning discussing Ryan's training regime with him, before they considered a selection of DAC Running's stock for size and comfort and deciding that New Balance met all the current needs.While he did admit to being slightly jealous of Ryan being coached by an Olympian, Darren wished Ryan every success in the Dream Run Dublin Project, saying that he looked forward to following his progress.

Wilkies 5 Mile Classic

Hosted by Foyle Valley Athletic Club the 16th Wilkies 5 Mile Classic Road Race, in memory of Colm Wilkinson took place on Thursday 16th May along the cycle path by the River Foyle at Brandywell in Derry.

Ciara Toner (Springwell RC) produced another brilliant run to claim her second victory in a week, having won the Termoneeny 10k on the 10th May. Having led from the start she dominated the race and crossed the line in 28.59 to retain the trophy that she won in 2018. Emily McLaughlin (Foyle Valley AC) was second in 34.18 and Trina Mhic Dhonaill (Inishowen AC) third with a time of 34.49.

The mens race was closely contested between Gideon Kipsang (Derry City Track Club) and Mark McKinstry (North Belfast Harriers) with Gideon winning in 24.33, just six seconds ahead of Mark who finished in 24.39. Emmett McGinty (City Of Derry Spartans) claimed third place with a time of 26.27.

Springwell RC Results - 9th Ciara Toner 28.59 (1st Lady), 19th David Jackson 30.33 (3rd M50), 20th Colin Loughery 30.37, 33rd Stephen McLaughlin 32.00, 75th Jim O'Hara 37.00 PB, 80th Pauline Mullan 37.14, 107th David Boorman 41.11

Ciara Toner retains her title at the Wilkies 5 Mile Classic

Ulster Schools Track and Field

The Ulster Schools Track & Field Championships took place on Saturday 18th May at the Antrim Forum with Springwell RC’s junior section producing some excellent performances.

Jack Culbertson who finished second in the Intermediate Boys 800m, Niamh Carr who won the Senior Girls 800m and Hermione Skuce who finished second have all qualified to compete in the Irish Schools Track & Field Championships at Tullamore on the 1st June.

Jack Culbertson at the Ulster Schools T&F

Niamh McGarry ran a personal best to finish 5th in the Junior Girls 1500m, another personal best performance saw Matthew Beveridge was 4th in the Intermediate Boys 1500m. Andrew Gordon placed 7th in the Senior Boys 1500m and Ryan Smith ran a personal best in the Intermediate Boys 3000m to finish 6th. In the Mini Girls 800m Mairi Clements came close to a new personal best with a 2.42.

Mairi Clements at the Ulster Schools T&F

And the Rest

On Saturday 18th May Chris Denton produced another great performance with a 2.54.00 to win the EAMs Marathon while in Donegal David McGaffin finished 2nd in the Rocks n Rollin Trail Marathon with a 4.11.23. In Sweden, Andrew Kincaid finished 22551st in the Goteborgsvarvet Half Marathon with a time of 2.27.53.

On Sunday 19th May Catherine Pinkerton finished 60th with a time of 37.53 at the 5k Xterra Malta Trail Run in Ghajn, Tuffieha, Malta, while at the Chester Half Marathon Alison Kelly was 2968th in 2.11.54 and Laura Wilson 2971st in 2.11.58.

Also on Sunday, at the Portadown Running Festival, Springwell RC was represented in all the events with Lorraine Abernethy 115th in 58.07 in the 10k while in Half Marathon Bryan Edgar produced an excellent run to finish 8th in 1.22.44 and Margaret Edgar was 179th with a time of 2.05.27.In the Marathon John Butcher completed his 83rd Marathon, finishing 16th in 3.42.36.

John Butcher at the Portadown Running Festival