Springwell Running Club - Press Release – June 23rd 2019

This week has seen Springwell RC members competing in Lisburn, Comber, Newcastle, Belfast and even Reykjavik, including the iconic Energia24 in Victoria Park in Belfast.

Energia24

The 10th and unfortunately last Energia24 race took place on the 22nd and 23rd June in Victoria Park in Belfast with six Springwell RC members taking on the challenge of 24 hours of running.  Starting at midday on Saturday the competitors attempt to complete as many laps of Victoria Park by midday on Sunday, with the winner being the runner who travels the furthest distance.

Andrew Kincaid, Alison McAllister, Alistair Shaw, Helena Dornan, John Butcher and Dale Corbett

It is up to each runner as to what strategy they adopt and they are allowed to step of the course for breaks and refreshments  at whatever time they choose, with many having friends and family acting as support crews to organise clothes, equipment and food. 

John Butcher and Helena Dornan at the 100 mile mark

Furthest travelled for Springwell RC was Helena Dornan, a veteran of this event who finished 44th having travelled 103.72 miles, followed by John Butcher, another veteran who was 59th after 101.67 miles, earning both of them the coveted 100 mile jacket.  In his first attempt at the event Dale Corbett spent his birthday covering 85.24 miles to finish 80th with another Energia24 veteran, Ali Shaw 121st after 79.08 miles.  Andrew Kincaid covered 36.62 miles to finish 183rd and Alison McAllister 191st with 27.24 miles.  

Lisburn Half Marathon & 10k

The Lisburn Half Marathon & 10k took place on Wednesday 19th June with over 2500 runners taking part in the two events.  The 10k event is one of the events in the training programme of the ten runners being trained by Olympian, Paul Pollock, for the Dublin Marathon and Springwell RC member, Ryan Galway certainly benefited from Paul’s experience and mentoring as he finished 17th in a new personal best of 36.34. Springwell RC’s other competitors in the 10k were 578th David McClean 55.08, 627th Heather McLaughlin 56.36, 888th Roberta McKenzie 1.00.41, 892nd Andrew Kincaid 1.01.01, 1515th Stacey Lyttle 1.26.10.

In the half marathon Springwell RC members were 63rd Chris Holmes 1.28.50, 300th Martin Smith 1.43.35, 430th Paul Quinn 1.50.39, 559th Paul Humphreys 1.56.03, 647th Colin Connolly 1.58.23 PB, 788th Fergal Mackle 2.06.43 PB, 873rd Helena Dornan 2.13.57 (Pacer)

Newcastle AC Hill & Dale Series

Friday nights 10th and final race of the series, Drinahilly, saw Alex Brennan produce another great display of mountain running to finish 14th in 26.02 and once again win his age category.  Not that there was any doubt, but this final age category win saw Alex retain the overall M45 title that he had won in 2018.

Alex Brennan – 2019 M45 Winner of the Hill & Dale Series

Here’s what else happened.

The Comber 10k took place on Friday 21st June with Bryan Edgar finishing 33rd (2nd M55) in 39.16.  Also taking there was 134th Fergus Thompson 44.18, 225th Carolyn Crawford 47.40 PB, 242nd Majella McAteer 48.36 PB, 345th Alan Platt 51.14, 483rd Margaret Edgar 56.54.  On his travels this week, club PRo David McGaffin travelled to Reykjavik in Iceland for the Suzuki Midnight Half Marathon, were he finished 39th in 1.33.18

Carolyn Crawford and Majella McAteer at the Comber 10k