Local runners head to Cookstown

Pam Howe and Andrew Wilmot before the off at the Cookstown Half marathon.

The hilly and hard Cookstown Half marathon was held on Sunday 31st July, being part of the Pure Running Half Marathon series, with one of its main features being the sheer size of the finishers medals!

A number intrepid Springwell Runners travelled down to take part with the very consistant and experienced David McGaffin first home in a superb 1:32:33, just a week after running a 1:30 at the equally tough Dervock Half!

Impressive running David!

Next was the very enthusiastic, relatively inexperienced Andrew Wilmot in a highly respectable 1:52:07, while Club newcomer, Pam Howe, making her Springwell debut, also clocked a very impressive 1:56:06.

Pam is a regular at Portrush parkrun and well known to all but, it is great to have Pam officially now in the ranks!

Finally Majella McAteer, another relative newcomer to the ranks completed her first half marathon in just under 2:04, in yet another notable performance on the day!

Unfortunately, as of going to press no official results were yet available so I am unable to verify all members who took part and times achieved but I believe Carolyn Crawford, Kathy Donaghey, Gary Moore, Eddie Clyde and a number of others also ran. Apologies to anyone I have missed.

Well done to all on their sterling efforts in this arduous event!

This year’s event used the race route used during the World Police and Fire Games Half Marathon 2013.

Starting at the Mid Ulster Sports Arena, heading out along the Main Street before heading towards Lough Fea, turning off towards Churchtown then heading back in the Cookstown direction.

Organisers were delighted with the numbers who came along to take part in the event on Sunday.

The available entry of 600 runners was met fairly early on.

The event has had a 100% increase in runners and the organisers would like to thank every runner for supporting the event.