ATHLETICS: Busy for Springwell

Mary Peters Track, Belfast was the venue for the 20th Annual Lagan Valley Track and Field Series sponsored by Edwards & Co Solicitors.

On a bright but eventually cold Thursday evening nearly 250 athletes took part, one of the biggest turnouts in the history of the event. Springwell had 14 juniors competing with some excellent early season performances posted by the young athletes.

99-01 Girls Sinead Gormley 80m 13.39, 1200m 5.30.1 and Long Jump 2.74.

97-98 Girls Aiofe McSheffrey 100m 15.18, 1500m 6.17.1 and High Jump 1.10 equal 3rd. Leah Gilfillan 100m 16.23. Robyn Ennes 1500m 6.29.0. Boys 1500m Luke Dinesmore 3rd no time recorded.

95-96 Girls Sarah McKelvey 100m 14.24. Boys 1500m 1st Conor Christie 4.35.8, 3rd Isaac Kerr 4.45.4, Ryan Ennes 4.58.0 and Brian Tweedie 5.21.3.

93- 94 Girls 100m 1st Holly Clarke 13.27 and 3rd Mairead McKeague 14.61. 1500m 2nd Deborah Gilliland 5.31.3. Boys 100m Ashley Cairns 12.32 and 1500m 4.52.5.

* At the third time of asking the Race over the Glens finally took place on Saturday.

Ballymena & Antrim's Jarleth Falls defended his title as he came home in 32:44 his fourth victory at the event with North Down's Roberta Doran finishing first lady in 40:14.

Chris Millar was the first Springwell Runner home in 39:34 followed by Gerry O'Doherty 42:39, Gillian Wasson 44:08 and Joseph McEvoy 58:54.

* Conditions were perfect for the University Challenge 5K which took place on the roads around the Coleraine Campus on Wednesday evening.

The race organised by the University of Ulster in association with Springwell Running Club attracted a field of just over 100 athletes.

The main race was preceded by a Kids 1K Fun Run. Twenty one under 12’s took part.

Springwell results - Niamh Tweedie 3:44 (1st Girl), Ross Moore 3:52 (1st Boy), Ailbhe Kendall 3:56 (2nd Boy), Aaron Crawford 4:00 (3rd Boy), Zara McLaughlin 4:19 (3rd Girl), Charlotte Parr 4:20, Owen Montgomery 4:22, Helen Tweedie 4:24, Harriet Moore 4:32, Alex Montgomery 5:03, Conor Kendall 5:12, Katie Tutty 5:13, Abby Tutty 5:51 and Ruairi Kendall 8:07.

Richard Johnston led the field home in 15:51 with Springwell’s Eimear Mullan winning the ladies race in 17:24.

Bryan Edgar 17:43 was first Springwell Runner home followed by Jim Breen 18:51 (1st MO50), Gerry O’Doherty 18:58, Chris Millar 18:58, Ryan Murray 19:30 (1st Male Junior), Gary Kendall 19.32, Robbie Craig 20:16, Ashleigh Moore 20:24, Hugh Deighan 21:17, Kay Hack 21:52 (1st FO35), Jim Platt 22:15 (1st MO60), Chris Surgeoner 22:36, Natalie Costello 22:38 (1st Female Junior), Gillian Earley 22:50, Johnny Goldie 22:50, Cathy Barr 23:08, Lynn Montgomery 23:30, Betty Deighan 23:34, Patricia Craig 23:43, Donna Costello 23:44, Shannon Costello 25:23, Kenneth Bacon 26:53 and Jack Kendall 36:11.

A record 1,300 athletes took part in the Titanic Quarter 10K Road Race.

Conditions were perfect as Jean Ndayisenga, Burudi, led the field home 29:55 with Genet Aressedi, Ethiopia 36:27 winning the ladies race.

Springwell’s sole representative Ronnie Kidd had an excellent run coming home in 37:25.