Clarkes and Girvins put best foot forward at five-mile race

An exciting weekend of running kicked off for East Coast Athletic Club with the Stanley Reid Memorial five-mile road race in Cookstown on Friday evening. Two of the club’s talented running families – the Clarkes and Girvins - joined over 300 athletes at the start line.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Aug 2014, 08:16 BST
The Girvin family. INLT 32-917-CONThe Girvin family. INLT 32-917-CON
The Girvin family. INLT 32-917-CON

David Clarke was first home for the club when he completed the undulating but fast course in a new personal best of 28:45, securing 14th place overall and first place in his category. Drew Girvin was the 100th runner to cross the finish line after covering the five miles in 34:30.

It was personal bests all round for the Clarke household when Carol Clarke ran 40:46 to claim 30th place in the ladies’ category. Glenda Girvin and Daniel Girvin crossed the line together in 43:36 (53rd place lady) 43:46 (249th place) respectively.

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On Saturday, Stephen Kennedy was in action at the Tandragee 10k road race. In wet and blustery conditions, he completed the tough course in 37:58 (6th place).

Also on Saturday, Justin Maxwell travelled to the Mourne Mountains for the iconic ‘Seven Sevens’ long-distance race. The notoriously difficult course covers 19 miles with 8,700ft of ascent whilst covering seven of the summits of the Mourne Mountains. Justin completed the event in 4:49:08 and claimed 11th place overall.

Greg Lavery completed his first-ever Portrush parkrun in fine fashion taking top spot in 18:39. Naoise McLoughlin followed exactly 60 seconds after, securing third (19:39).

Peter McManus completed the Abington parkrun (Scotland) in 26:21, taking 107th place out of a total of 216 runners.

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Closer to home, East Coast AC’s Andy Guy secured first place in 18:49 at the Larne parkrun. Scott Cowie was next home in a personal best 21:16, securing fifth.

Junior member, and talented triathlete, Callum Sittlington ran 21:42 (pb), taking seventh place. Making her race debut, Trisha Campbell claimed second place in the ladies’ category in 23:20.

Matthew McIlroy timed 23:32 (17th), while younger brother Callum clocked 23:46 (19th). Conor Sheridan, Nigel Taylor and Paul Clements all finished within quick succession. Conor completed the tough course in a new personal best of 24:30 (27th), followed by Nigel in a new personal best of 24:46 (28th), and Paul in 24:56 taking 30th place.

Parkrun regular, Sandy Plumb looked strong as he crossed the line in 41st place (26:44).

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