Busy week for Springwell pair

The week began on Tuesday; the pair along with David Jackson travelled to Ballyboley Forest for the first race the East Antrim trail series. David was the first home in 25:28 closely followed by Chris in 25:33 and Gerry in 25:44.

The major prize winners were North Down pair Simon Seaton 22:17, and Roberta Doran 25:17.

Wednesday evening and onto the roads at the Lisnagelvin 5K, this was the second race in the Furey Insurances 5K series.

Foyle Valley’s Scott Rankin (15:42) led home the record 120 strong field at the, but only after an absorbing tussle with City of Derrys Richard Johnston, the two second winning margin an indication of the intense battle for supremacy between the pair.

The ladies race was won by Abbey AC’s in form Gemma Turley who impressed at the Bay Road race three weeks ago coming home in 19:01.

Chris (17:56) set a new PB on the 3 lap course with Gerry coming home in 19:24.

Finally on Saturday Gerry and Chris along with Gillian Wasson took part in the Annalong Horseshoe mountain race, over 13 miles and 5500 feet of climb. The three ran together with Gillian finishing in 3:18:17, Gerry 3:18:20 and Chris 3:18:21

Stephen Cunningham, Mourne Runners, led from start to finish winning the race in 1:57:43 the fastest time for 14 years. Only three athletes have broken 2 hours since the Annalong Horseshoe was first ran in 1982 - Adrian Philpott in 1990 (1:59:09), Robbie Bryson in 1996 (1:56:57) and now Stephen Cunningham.

In the ladies race winner Shileen O'Kane set off at a rapid pace to set the second fastest ladies time over the course, with 2:37:45, with the record being set by Fiona Maxwell in 2007 with 2:28:50.

The pair now have a week off before their next race, the ECOS 5 Mile Road Race in Ballymena on Saturday.