From Larne to London: East Coast athletes impress

Roisin Lavery with daughters Abbie and Evie at the East Coast AC Club championship races

The action kicked off on Saturday morning at the Larne parkrun. Daniel Girvin led the field home in 19:52 (1st place). Mark Lockwood’s 25:07 secured ninth while Caoilfhinn McLoughlin achieved a new personal best when she crossed the line 33:56 (5th placed lady). Other times: Colleen Taylor (34:10, 6th lady, pb). Leah Girvin 54:41 (9th lady), Hannah Girvin 54:42.

Andy Guy ran the Southwark parkrun in London and clocked an impressive time of 17:50 securing first place in a strong field.

In fourth race of the Club Championship Series the East Coast Cheetahs took centre stage holding their first official race. Almost 30 athletes completed the 800m course along the Promenade in Larne. Top three: David Taylor (3:07); Harry Plumb (3:09) and Abbey McKeown (3:10).

Thirty-one members and guests took part in the 10-mile main event, while 10 teams completed the relay event.

John McManus won the race in 1:03:05, with Mark McManus runner-up in 1:04:54. Naoise McLoughlin took third spot in a time of 1:07:08.

On Sunday, Kieran McKeown was in competition at the prestigious England Athletics Masters Indoor Inter-Area Challenge at Lee Valley Stadium, London (England). Up against top quality opposition, the WPFG medallist produced two good performances, recording 60.30secs to take sixth place in the 400m final. In his 800m race, McKeown crossed the line in 2:23.00 to claim seventh spot.

Nat Glenn and James Brown travelled County Meath (Ireland) for the Intermediate/Masters Cross Country Championships, where they represented both East Coast AC and County Antrim.

Results were unavailable as Times went to print.