Springwell Running Club - Press Release – 23th February 2020

The N.I. & Ulster Senior Cross Country Championships sponsored by Philip Tweedie & Company, were hosted by Springwell RC at the University of Ulster in Coleraine on the 22nd February. The weather was particularly wintry with a cold, biting wind which increased in strength as squally showers of rain and hail swept across the campus, but thankfully the start of the races saw the worst of the showers abate for a great afternoon of running.

Starting at 1.30pm the lady’s race saw almost 200 athletes take on the challenge of 3 laps of the 2km course. Emma Mitchell (Clonliffe Harriers) produced a commanding performance to lead the race from start to finish, crossing the line in a time of 24.09. The other podium positions were sorted in a battle between Lauren Wilson (Lagan Valley AC), Shalene McMurray (Newcastle AC), Sarah Laverty (Beechmount Harriers) and Catherine Whoriskey (City of Derry Spartans). In a closely fought contest it was Catherine who methodically worked her way through the field to finish second in 24.47 just 6 seconds ahead of Lauren who was third in 24.53. Sarah finished in 25.05 and Shalene in 25.10.

In the team event North Down AC claimed the title with Beechmount Harriers second and City of Derry Spartans third. Springwell RC finished eighth of the sixteen teams.

The men’s 6 lap race started at 2.15pm and was a much closer tactical battle at Neil Johnston (Springwell RC), last years champion Mark McKinstry (North Belfast Harriers) and Eskander Turki (Annadale Striders) contested the podium places. Mark took an early lead but as the first lap finished Neil and Eskander had closed the gap and the second lap saw them go stride for stride until Neil moved up a gear and he and Eskander established a short lead. Neil continued to set a punishing pace and as the third lap ended, he had established a lead that he was to maintain until he crossed the finish line in a time of 44.47. Eskander was second in 45.06 and Mark third in 45.57.

His win in this event means that Neil Johnston simultaneously holds three NI & Ulster Championships on Road, Track and Cross Country. He is the current Road 5km champion, the Track 5000m champion and the Senior Cross Country Champion.

Newcastle AC won the team event with City of Derry Spartans second and North Belfast Harriers third. Springwell RC finished fourth.

Springwell RC Ladies - 9th Ciara Toner 26:26, 54th Mandy Stewart 30:42, 55th Kerrie McIlmoyle 30:42, 56th Fran McFadden 31:00, 64th Judith Buchanan 31:36, 67th Catherine Pinkerton 31:59, 70th Claire Ramsey 32:10, 74th Lisa Jayne Young 32:22, 92nd Pamela Howe 33:54, 98th Sarah Dickinson 34:22, 128th Julie Millican 36:32, 140th Liz Dowey 37:28, 142nd Alanna Miller 37:41, 161st Deborah McPhee 40:16, 173rd Ann Marie McKenna 43:17.

Springwell RC Men - 1st Neil Johnston 44:47, 17th Luke Dinsmore 48:38, 20th Ciaran Ferris 48:54, 38th Jonathan McKee 52:02, 39th Ryan Galway 52:05, 63rd Paul Thompson 53:34, 65th Aaron Moffatt 53:38, 72nd Stephen Fillis 54:40, 76th Christopher McNickle 55:04, 82nd Barry Mullan 55:57, 94th Alister Jamison 56:53, 122nd Maurice Walker 1:00:03, 202nd Michael McKeown 1:16:22, 214th Alan Steen 1:33:32.

Dr Ian Taylor (President Athletics NI), Eskander Turki (Annadale Striders), Neil Johnston (Springwell RC), Mark McKinstry (North Belfast Harriers) and Philip Tweedie.

Jonathan McKee, Neil Johnston, Ryan Galway, Christopher McNickle, Aaron Moffatt, Stephen Fillis and Like Dinsmore at the senior XC