Springwell Running Club - Press Release – July 7th 2019
It’s been another well travelled week of running for Springwell Running Club as members took part in events in Glenarm, Ardboe and Penang, Malaysia with an appropriate assortment of podium places, age category places, personal bests and even a new course record.
Penang Run
The hottest, most challenging conditions of the weekend were to be found at the Penang Run Half Marathon in Malaysia, which took place on Sunday 7th July. Despite staring the race at 5.30am to avoid the worst of the day’s temperatures it was still 26c with the humidity making it seem more like 30c as the runners started their 21k challenge.
Springwell RC’s Simon Stewart was leading the race after 2k when the lead bicycle took a wrong turn to add another 400 metres onto the course. Only a few of the leading were affected by this error but, once back on the correct course, Simon quickly chased down those who had got ahead of him to reclaim the lead, which he held onto, crossing the line in an impressive 1.21.24.
In the ladies race Springwell RC were again top of the podium as America Aznar produced an excellent run to claim victory in a new course record time of 1.36.18.
America Aznar and Simon Stewart with their trophies at the Penang Run Half Marathon
Great Rossa Run
The weather conditions in Ardboe weren’t just as challenging as Malaysia but the sun was out and the temperatures high enough to add that extra challenge and certainly require the application of a bit of sun factor. The Great Rossa Run offers competitors the option of 5k, 10k and Half Marathon options and Springwell RC was represented in the 10k and Half Marathon distances.
In the 10k event James Stewart ran a personal best time of 37.43 to finish 10th while Caroline Owen was 3rd F60, and 300th overall in 1.11.47. Alan Platt 155th 54.38, Maria Quinn 175th 55.44 and Aidan Mooney 293rd 1.10.08 completed the Springwell RC contingent for the 10k.
In the Half Marathon Nelson Hanna was the first Springwell member across the line, finishing 58th in 1.35.54. Not far behind was Terry Glenn in 68th in 1.37.42, with Will Colvin 163rd 1.53.19, Pauline Mullan 169th 1.53.46, David Campbell 200th 1.58.08, Colin Connolly 223rd 2.05.57 and Andrew Wilmot 229th 2.08.38
David Campbell, Maria Quinn and Andrew Wilmot at the Great Rossa Run
Glenarm 5 Mile Run
Colin Connolly at the Glenarm 5 Mile Race
The Glenarm 5 Mile Run on Friday 5th July took the competitors through the picturesque County Antrim village and the paths and trails of the historic Glenarm Castle. Among the 171 competitors Springwell RC were represented by Colin Connolly who finished 86th with a time of 42.57 and Alan Platt who was 91st in 43.25.