Johnston wins latest head to head at Culmore 5K

The Randalstown based City of Derry Spartans newcomer carving out a ten second victory margin over his Foyle Valley rival in a wind affected 16 minutes 6 seconds, as the Womens race went to Innishowen's impressive Helena Crossan in 18 minutes 45 seconds.

A record entry of 151 runners were attracted to Culmore, further proof of the increasing interest in road running all over the country and the huge spectator input on the two lap Coney Roadd/Culmore Point course was also impressive.

Despite this and a warm sunny evening,the strong headwind for half the distance slowed times right down but there were several exciting tussles throughout the big field.

Up front Johnston and Rankin ran with Paddy Mor Doherty and Joe McKinney for close to 3K before the two younger men got clear with the Spartan sustaining his effort longer to sprint home in 16 minutes 6 seconds to the 16 minutes 16 seconds clocking of his rival.

Innishowen M40 McKinney' s strength saw him finish third in 16 minutes 23 seconds, the red vested Doherty posted 16 minutes 28 seconds with another Foyle Valley man Pius McIntyre, fifth in 16 minutes 57 seconds, ahead of M40 Leo Murray of Tir Choniall on 17 minutes 9 seconds.

The top M45, City of Derry's Damien McGinty was next on 17 minutes 12 seconds, Innishowen's Declan Caldwell finished just one second behind closely followed by Finn Valley's M45 Domnic Bonner and the unattached Connor McCullagh, completing the top ten with 17 minutes 15 seconds and 17 minutes 17 seconds respectively.

Crossan's 18 minutes 45 seconds gave her a comfortable cushion in the Womens race, the real battle here played out behind her, as Gemma Turley, Theresa Doherty and the City of Derry duo, Jackie McGinley and Marina Campbell fought an intense duel for supremecy.

There was little between them for most of the distance but the currently unattached Turley found enough late on to edge clear of the fast finishing Theresa Doherty of Innishowen who pipped McGinley on the line for third.

Turley ran 19 minutes 27 seconds, Doherty 19 minutes 33 seconds with McGinley given 19 minutes 34 seconds and Campbell claimed fifth with 19 minutes 47 seconds as her Spartans clubmate and top F40 Bridgeen Byrne filled out the top six on 20 minutes 26 seconds.

Katrina Ruddy, unattached, was the leading F35 on 23 minutes 39 seconds and Finn Valley's Gloria Donaghey with 22 minutes 30 seconds was the first F50.

The remaining Male age group winners were Mid Ulsters Jon O'Neill whose 19 minutes 13 seconds gave him the U20 prize; the City of Derry pair, M50 Dermot Connolly and M55 Peter Lilburn with 17 minutes 54 seconds and 18 minutes 23 seconds. Moville man Seamus McElhinney ran 23 minutes and 21 seconds for the M60 award.

The prizes were presented by the race sponsors, two Culmore businessmen and sports fans, Physio Shawn Barron and Joe Jackson Ice Cream Parlour proprieter, Neill Doherty who doled out very welcome, delicious ice creams at the finish line.