Springwell Running Club - Press Release – 13th September 2020

The 2020 Antrim Coast Marathon took place on Saturday 12th September with one of the strongest fields assembled for a race in Ireland.  Originally to have taken place in March the event was postponed until September and then reduced from what would have been a field of over 2000 athletes to just 80 top class runners.

The course for Antrim Coast Half marathon took on a new look this year to give athletes the opportunity for maximise their potential. With the first few miles being run in and around the town and harbour area, the route then took the competitors out along one of the most scenic roads in Ireland as an out and back route as far as Ballygally Castle being the turning point.

Making his Irish debut was four time Olympic Champion Sir Mo Farah who, along with runners of the calibre of Commonwealth Games and World Championship athlete Stephen Scullion, 2016 Olympian Kevin Seaward, British and European indoor 500m record holder Marc Scott and International Team GB’s Ben Conor produced one of the fastest races ever to take place locally.  The lady’s race wasn’t lacking in quality either as current British Half Marathon Champion Lily Partridge, Team GB prospect Sam Harrison, Commonwealth Games competitor Clara Evans and U20 British Half Marathon record holder Becky Briggs lead the field home.

After the disappointing news that the main event would be cancelled to mass participants, we received the amazing news that Springwell RC’s Ciara Toner and Ryan Galway were selected to run in the elite race.

Ciara started the race in the Women's group which started at 08:00 and Ryan started in the Men's 'B' Group which started just after 08:30.

Conditions on the Antrim Coast looked to be just about perfect for both Springwell runners and with ideal weather and a fast course both of then put in phenomenal runs.

Ryan finished the race in 45th overall (41st male) in a time of 1:15:09 (PB) and Ciara finished 54th overall (12th woman) in a time of 1:18:28 (PB and new Club Record).

A superb morning out for both, and huge congratulations to both from everybody at Springwell Running Club

Ryan finished the race in 45th overall (41st male) in a time of 1:15:09 (PB)

Ciara finished 54th overall (12th woman) in a time of 1:18:28 (PB and new Club Record)