Acorns in action at Larne Marathon

The main race of the week was Larne and the first of the Half Marathon series with Omagh Half Marathon taking place next weekend.

Over 20 Acorns made the trip to Larne on Saturday for the annual 13.1 mile road race. With fine weather conditions it made the task for the team a little bit easier, as the coast road can prove difficult on a windy day.

Eoin Hughes set the standard with another fine race and a 1:20 finish, inside the top 25 overall.

Alan Shaw was next home in 1:27 followed by Brian Thom in 1:41. Les Maneely and Sandra McKeown crossed the line in a fine 1:42 and Marsha Abbot wasn’t far behind in 1:45.

Donna Paterson raced to the finish post in 1:47 with Colin Thom hot on her heels in 1:48. Karl Murphy had a fine race to finish in 1:50 as did Joanne Irwin in 1:51.

Tanya Shaw put in an excellent shift to finish in 1:56 and Sandra Smyth nipped in at 1:57. Rosalin Bowman, Wendy Wensley, Frances Bell and Trevor Dallas all broke the 2 hour mark with 1:59 finishes.

Wanda Hughes was home and dry in 2:01 with Gillian Kirkpatrick close behind in 2:02. Claire Donnelly had a super run to finish in 2:06, whilst Don and Carol Brownlee were 2:12.

Helen McToal crossed the finish post in 2:15 and Ciara Gribbon rounded of the team results finishing in 2:20. Excellent running once again by the whole of Team Acorns.

Natalie Hall picked up the prize for first lady at the Washingbay 5k road race on Saturday. This was another super performance by Natalie.

Karen Alexander represented Northern Ireland at this recent Home Countries Cross Country event in Falkirk and led the team home after another fine run.

Well done to Aidan O’Hagan and Marty Loughran on finishing 5th and 6th at the Altnamuskin 5 mile road race on St Patrick’s Day! Times were 29:27 and 33:02 respectively.

Nicola McElduff took part in the London Half Marathon and completed the distance in 1.53, which was a PB for Nicola knocking 6 minutes off her previous best.

Cathaoir Purvis was in action at the Clogher Valley 5k and took 2nd overall in 17.40, nice running Cathaoir!

The Jog Belfast 5k had the participation of Acorns trio Lisa Gibson 25.44, Julie McVey 30.25 and Patrice Hughes 30.58. Lisa raced around the course in 25:44, Julie hit the line in 30:25 and Patrice was on her heels in 30:58. Great running ladies.

Jayne Hassin-Scott took part in the Addiction 10k and completed the distance in a great time of 1.00.09

Niall Hassin is improving with each and sharpened his time yet again to 20.32 in the Strabane 5k.

Eoin Hughes has covered a lot of races lately and earlier in the week he took part in the Belfast Craic 10k and finished 9th overall in 35:29.

Confirmed times for Feeny 10k are as follows: Eoin Hughes 36.44, Diarmuid O’Kane 39.38, Pat Groogan 42.36, and Niall Hassan 44.53

On Saturday a large number of members were in Parkrun action at various different locations. Well done to all those who took part and especially those who achieved personal best times along the way.

Acorns club members Irwin Speirs continues to do a sterling job at the MUSA parkrun along with his band of assistants every Saturday morning.

SOUTHWARK

Stephen KERR 19.18

MUSA

Glenn DONNELLY 16:55

Martin MCVEY 16:57 PB

Aidan O’HAGAN 16:58

Roger MCLEAN 19:20

Oliver MURPHY 20:43

Damien KELLY 24:14

Cormac LOGAN 26:10 PB

Judith BLACK 27:38 PB

Leeona DAVIDSON 27:49

Bronagh STOCKMAN 27:53

Jeanette CONLON 30:42 PB

Caroline KELLY 32:20

Helen STEENSON 34:52

Sharon MURPHY 41:16

Marina ABBOTT 41:34

ANTRIM

Paulio MCGUCKIN 19:45 PB

Owen COOGAN 27:48

Louise BRADY 28:09 PB

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday 26 March

Omagh Half Marathon

Mussenden 10k

Sunday 27 March

Ballygalet Community Road Race

Monday 28 March

Whitehead 5 mile

Scenic Carn 10k

TRAINING

Meadow Bank Sports Arena: Monday - Senior Training @ 6.30pm and Wednesday - Senior Training @ 7.30pm.

Mid Ulster Sports Arena: Tuesday and Thursday - Senior Training at 6.30pm.