Charity wins in festival race

Dromore Athletics Club's inaugural 5k Road Race and Children's Fun Run during Dromara's recent Village Festival raised more than £400 for Cancer Research UK.
Councillor Janet Gray congratulates Dromara 5k and Fun Run male winner Daniel Dawson.Councillor Janet Gray congratulates Dromara 5k and Fun Run male winner Daniel Dawson.
Councillor Janet Gray congratulates Dromara 5k and Fun Run male winner Daniel Dawson.

Club organisers hailed the contest an enjoyable, and hopefully now annual, event with a “terrific” atmosphere.

The 5k men’s race was “hotly contested” by Daniel Dawson and Zac Hanna with Dromore AC’s Daniel finishing first in a time of 16.02, while Dromara’s Susan Smyth won the ladies’ race in 20.37.

Fun run competition was reportedly as fierce, with parents and friends cheering on the children.

Councillor Janet Gray congratulates Dromara 5k and Fun Run ladies' winner Susan Smyth.Councillor Janet Gray congratulates Dromara 5k and Fun Run ladies' winner Susan Smyth.
Councillor Janet Gray congratulates Dromara 5k and Fun Run ladies' winner Susan Smyth.

World champion waterskiier and local councillor Janet Gray presented the prizes.

A spokesperson said: “Organisers were amazed at the turnout on this, the first occasion of the run, with 99 competitors in the 5k and 53 in the fun run.

“ . . . The route was well marshalled by the PSNI and local volunteers. All in all the evening was a great success and especially pleasing to Dromore AC as many of their athletes took podium positions.”

Thanks, for support and sponsorship, went to Councillor Gray, all at Dromore AC, Dromara Village Festival Committee, Lisburn PSNI, Lisburn and Castlereagh Council, volunteer marshalls, Tri-Sport Trophies Ltd, Johnston Campbell Ltd, Colin Atkinson ABC Insurance, Mark Hall Decorating Services, Dennis Biggerstaff of Biggerstaff’s Kinallen, Johny Ward at Coca Cola, Paul Stewart of Square One, Dromara, Boyles Restaurant Dromore, Quails Butcher Dromore, Slieve Croob Flying Club, Craig McDowell, Athletics NI, Glen Grant Championship Ireland, Nicola Patterson Forever Living Products and all competitors, supporters and spectators.

Councillor Janet Gray congratulates Dromara 5k and Fun Run ladies' winner Susan Smyth.Councillor Janet Gray congratulates Dromara 5k and Fun Run ladies' winner Susan Smyth.
Councillor Janet Gray congratulates Dromara 5k and Fun Run ladies' winner Susan Smyth.

Results: Male Open - 1, Daniel Dawson, Dromore AC; 2, Zac Hanna, Newcastle AC; 3, Kent Swann, North Belfast Harriers. Female Open - 1, Susan Smyth, Dromore AC; 2, Kirsti Foster, East Down AC; 3, Kathryn Lyttle, unaffiliated. Junior Male 12-15 - 1, Ryan McDowell, Dromore AC; Junior Male 16-18yrs - 1,Ethan Dunn, Dromore AC.

Male V40 - 1, Niall CArson, Newcastle AC. Male V50 - 1, Derek Melville, unaffiliated. Male V60 - 1, Thomas Fee, Banbridge AC. Female V35 - 1,Janette Bailey, Dromore AC. Female V45 - 1,Diane McKee, Dromore AC. Female V55 - 1, Maureen Ward, unaffiliated.

Fun Run 5-8yrs - 1, Jodie Foster; 2,Charlie Stevenson; 3, Aaron McMullan; 4,Liam Gribben; 5, Will McCann; 6, Lexie Broome. Fun Run 9-12yrs - Boys: 1, Hugo Melville; 2,Ethan Mehaffy; 3, Callum McNally. Girls: 1, Lucy Foster; 2,Kate McCartan; 3, Amy McCartan .