Freddie and Gemma claim victory at Nissan 5 mile run

The event was hosted by Coleraine Leisure Centre in association with Springwell Running Club and the support of the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

In perfect running conditions the Mayor Councillor Michelle Knight-McQuillan set the runners on their way from the Leisure Centre and they finished back in the town centre.

The event attracted a quality field, which at the competitive end was headed by former Belfast Marathon Champion Freddy Sittuk (Raheny Shamrock AC) and established local hero Scott Rankin (Foyle Valley AC). Freddy continued his recent good run of form as he sealed an impressive victory, crossing the line in 24:36 closely followed by Scott in 24:43, before Mark McKinstry (North Belfast Harriers) clocked 26:16 for third place.

Male Age Categories - MJ Dale Corbett (Springwell RC) 29:05; M35 Michael Murphy (City of Derry) 27:25; M40 Diarmuid O’Kane (Acorns AC) 28:49; M45 James Turtle (Ballymena Runners) 28:28; M50 Gerard Mullan (Springwell RC) 31:48; M55 Tommy Hughes (North Belfast) 29:24; M60 Gerry O’Doherty (Springwell RC) 30:54; M65 (Francis Boal (Lagan Valley) 37:13.

In the ladies race, Gemma Turley (Springwell Running Club), a winner at the recent Milk Run and a podium finisher at the Stanley Reid Memorial 5 Mile Road Race and Dervock 10K, added another victory to her fast growing CV. However, the talented athlete didn’t have it easy, and was forced to battle all the way with Orangegrove AC’s Jenny Black.  The exciting dual ensured that both ladies recorded quality times, with Gemma dipping under the thirty minute barrier for the first time, with a personal best of 29:54.  Jenny also ran a PB 30:02 for second place, while Springwell’s Ciara Toner claimed third place in 30:31.

Female Age Categories - FJ Charlotte English 38:52; F35 Helana Quinn (Termoneeney) 31:55; F40 Alison Rankin (Springwell RC) 33:21; F45 Nicola Swinson (PACE Running Club) 34:07; F50 Kathryn Alcorn 40:01; F55 Cathy Barr (Springwell RC) 42:58; F60 Marian McNiece (North Belfast) 42:12.

Springwell Times - Jonathan McKee 26:38 (PB), Glenn Millar 28:47 (PB), Dale Corbett 29:05 (PB), James Stewart 29:05 (PB), Gemma Turley 29:54 (PB), Ryan Murray 30:05, Stephen Fillis 30:15 (PB), Ciara Toner 30:31, Gerry O’Doherty 30:54, Dave Sexton 31:05, David Jackson 31:15, Alex Curran 31:35, Brian Geddis 31:42, Gerard Mullan 31:48 (PB), Jim Breen 31:52, James McMullan 32:53, Gary Moore 33:14, Alison Rankin 33:21, Andrew Dowey 33:31, Richard Baker 33:35, Johnny Goldie 33:41, Linda Gillen 34:15, Kerrie McIlmoyle 35:00, Greg Magee 35:25, Graeme Montgomery 35:38, Noel McAllister 36:46 (PB), Brenda Boyle 36:47 (PB), Mervyn Thompson 36:57, Sarah Chestnutt 36:53, Catherine Pinkerton-Moore 37:07, Ian Young 37:44, Jim Platt 37:54, Donna Brolly 38:41 (PB), Julie Millican 39:02, David Boorman 39:02, Lisa Young 39:18, Anne McGilligan 39:53 (PB), Anne Marie McClements 39:57 (PB), Kay Hall 40:27, David Hughes 40:27, Michael Rankin 40:33, Patricia Craig 40:46 (PB), Karen Smith 40:48 (PB), Melanie Millar 41:02 (PB), Ally Kelly 41:04, Louise McDonnell 41:12 (PB), Elaine Young 42:06, Cathy Barr 42:58 (PB), Ursula Harper 43:26, Elaine Montgomery 43:48 (PB), Sharon Bingham 43:57, Fiona Walker 44:33 (PB), Noelle Watterson 44:41 (PB), Sandra Rosborough 46:19 (PB), Christina Shiels 46:26, Sharon Brown 46:42, Rachel Blee 48:07, Bronagh O’Kane 48:04, Monica McClenaghan 48:25 (PB), Emma Birrell 50:15, Liadhan McAnena 50:38 (PB), Bernie Drain 50:47, Lynn Montgomery 53:57, Alison McAllister 53:57.

John Gordon ran 28:10 for his first five mile run but no time was recorded as he forgot to wear his timing chip.

On Saturday, nearly two hundred athletes turned out for the Run Groomsport Half Marathon on the North Down coastline. The 13.1 mile event was the penultimate race of the 2015 Pure Running-ChampionChip Ireland Half Marathon Series and therefore attracted quite a number of familiar faces. Springwell’s Bryan Edgar ran 1:22:32 with Kenny Coulter and Barry McCluskey coming home in 1:41:05.

John Butcher and Nigel McNeill took part of Irelands most unique 4 day - Marathon event and experienced 105 miles of Scenic Inishowen along the Wild Atlantic Way. The stunning coastal scenery and sound of waves lapping off the coastline are just some of the joys they experienced as they conquered this rugged and sometimes hilly terrain.

Nigel’s times were 4:29:29, 4:11:57, 4:27:15 and 4:04:00. John’s times 4:29:32, 4:22:42, 4:27:33 and 4:04:00. Well done guys.