Springwell Running Club - Press Release – 6th January 2019

The lull between Christmas Day and New Year is traditionally filled with a variety of running events to amuse, entertain and challenge the running community over the holidays and this year was no exception, with 5k’s, 10k’s, Marathons, back to back Marathons and the traditionally opener to the year – the Race over the Glens in the Antrim Plateau.

El Corte Ingles Sao Silvestre de Lisboa

This annual 10k in Lisbon on 29th December has always attracted huge numbers and 2018 was to be no exception with 9440 competitors finishing the race. The gently undulating course followed the coastline before a steep climb during the final two miles produced a challenge for the runners as they approached the finish line. Springwell RC’s husband and wife duo of Simon Stewart and America Aznar produced fantastic performances at the event to win their respective age categories. Simon finished 25th overall in a time of 34.00 to win the M45 category while America, having only recently recovered from influenza, ran 41.18 to finish 422nd and win the F40 age category.

Aghyaran St Davogs 5k

The Aghyaran St Davogs 5k is held annually in the West of West Tyrone with over 100 competitors taking part this year. Shane McNulty (Finn Valley AC) ran 18.26 to win the event with Chris Duffy (Aghyaran Athletics) second in 18.55 and Patrick Gallagher (Springwell RC) third with a time of 19.24.

Springwell RC’s Patrick Gallagher at St Davogs 5k

East Antrim Marathon Series Back 2 Back

The Back 2 Back Marathon event took place in Carrickfergus on the 30th and 31st December 2018 with competitors choosing to take part in individual marathon or, for those wishing to finish the year with a flourish, the opportunity to complete both races. Day one saw two of Springwell RC’s marathon specialists in action with John Butcher finishing 10th in 3.49.30 and Helena Dornan 13th (3rd lady) in 3.55.00.

Springwell RC’s Helena Dornan – winner of the EAMs Back 2 Back

Day two saw another great sub 3 hour run from Springwell RC’s Chris Denton to win in a time of 2.59.06 while Helena Dornan finished her second marathon in 17th place (3rd lady) in 4.19.36. Helena’s cumulative time over the two races saw her win the lady’s event and finish an already very successful year with yet another trophy.

Race Over the Glens

The Race Over the Glens, hosted by Ballymena Runners is the traditional opener to the running calendar, with a 6 mile trail race in Glenariff Forest Park. This year over 350 runners took on the challenge of this hilly course, with Zak Hanna (Newcastle AC) winning the event for the second consecutive year in a time of 30.30. Experienced mountain runner Jonny Steede (Glens Runners) was second in 32.44 and Jarlaith Falls (Ballymena & Antrim AC) third with a time of 32.58.

Olympian Breege Connolly (City of Derry Spartans) won the lady’s race in 35.35. Karen Wilton (Jog Lisburn RC) was second in 37.25 and Gemma McDonald (Ballycastle Runners) completed the podium in a time of 38.46.

Springwell RC was well represented with Oisin Brennan the first club member home in 14th (2nd Male Junior) in 35.52. The rest of the results were; 28th Alister Jamison 38.06, 38th Maurice Walker 38.55, 148th Keith Nixon 47.29, 207th Noel McAllister 51.09, 209th Michael Mulvenna 51.10, 226th Paul Dornan 52.26, 246th Sarah Dickinson 54.07, 250th Carolyn Crawford 54.21, 271st David Campbell 56.19.

Springwell RC’s Sarah Dickinson at the Race Over the Glens (Photo Ballymena Runners)