Marrs lifts Moore Cup

PETER Marrs was the winner on Tuesday evening, as thirty-three Larne Athletic Club runners competed for the Moore Cup, the penultimate round of this year's Winebar sponsored Handicap Race Series.

The event took place over a 5-mile circuit from Cairncastle, renowned for its demanding uphill start, the long, leg-pounding downhill run towards Ballygalley and the punishing uphill finish on the Weyburn Road.

Peter finished just 4 seconds ahead of Alwyn McQuitty, with Eddie Finn in third place. Ruth Wilson was first lady finished in 4th place , while Kieran Sharratt bettered his last run in the event two year’s ago by some four minutes to finish 5th. Paula McAllister was 6th in a time of 35:04, the fastest of the club’s ladies; guest runner Geraldine Quigley was fastest lady overall in 33:51.

Beverley Gaston was just three seconds behind Paula with a time of 35:12, with Jackie Wallace, Geraldine Quigley and Paul Tilson completing the top ten. Nat Glenn’s time of 29:19 was fastest on the day.

No fewer than 26 runners finished within three minutes of one-another, a credit to the handicapper, who, given the recent influx of new members had to establish handicap times for over sixty runners before the race

Larne Athletic Club would like to thank John Agnew for setting the handicap times, Elaine Hall for providing the prizes, Kirsty Sharratt and Justin Maxwell for timekeeping and Kirsty and Kieran Sharratt for the tea, coffee and cake after the race. Finally, thank you to the Winebar for their continued support and sponsorship of the series.

Results: 1. Peter Marrs, 33.59; 2. Alvyn McQuitty, 36.23; 3. Eddie Finn, 39.21; 4. Ruth Wilson, 37.49; 5. Kieran Sharratt, 31.06. 6. Paula McAllister,35.04; 7. Beverly Gaston, 35.12; 8. Jackie Wallace, 36.57; 9. Geraldine Quigley, 33.51; 10.Paul Tilson, 33.00; 11. Bernie Regan, 39.35; 12. James Robinson, 33.14; 13. Kevin McRandal, 37.15; 14. Nat Glenn, 29.19; 15. Toni Ramsey, 42.36; 16. Stephen McKenna,32.26; 17.Rhonda Brady, 38.49; 18. Billy Thompson, 29.50; 19. Shirley McGuckin, 43.30; 20. John Agnew, 30.34; 21. Dan Magill, 38.16; 22. Brian Herron, 30.49; 23. Ryan Stewart, 30.40; 24. Rhonda Wallace, 43.59; 25. Sammy Drummond, 31.02; 26. Elaine Hall, 41.40; 27. Ryan Maxwell, 29.33; 28. Nicola Hylands, 44.36; 29. Jayne Liddle, 45.27; 30. Laura McGrillis, 43.18; 31. Mandy Johnston, 42.33; 32. Amy Beggs, 48.46; 33. Andy Gregg, 35.20.

Race Round-up

Larne Athletic Club runners have been in action in recent weeks in a wide range of events on the roads, over mountains and on forest Trails.

Nine rounds have been now been completed in the Hill and Dale Series in and around the Mourne mountains. Several Larne runners including Elaine Hall, Bryan Magee, Peter Howie and Brian Spence have been competing regularly and achieving good results in their respective categories. In the NIMRA Grand Prix, Dale Smith took over 40 minutes off his PB over the challenging 13-mile Annalong Horseshoe course.

East Antrim Trail Series

The East Antrim Harriers Trail series has attracted a large contingent of Larne AC runners on Tuesday evenings. Ryan and Justin Maxwell finished second to Simon Seaton in the races at Ballyboley and Woodburn respectively, while a number of other club runners including Bernie Regan, Paula McAllister, Sammy Drummond and Bernard Brady have achieved great performances to lead their categories at the halfway stage.

On the Roads

Seventeen Larne AC runners took part in the recent ECOS 5 Mile Road Race in Ballymena, on what turned out to be stiflingly hot conditions. Ryan Maxwell was first finished in 28:08, with Beverley Gaston first lady in 35:13. The event also saw a successful return to racing for Kirsty Sharratt, while Craig Hutchinson, Bernard Brady and Billy Thompson finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd in a competitive Vet 45 category.

Larne AC had no less than five runners inside the top ten at the Millisle 10K, with Craig Hutchinson achieving the superb time of 33:54 to win the Vet 45 category.

Other notable results in recent weeks include the performance of Justin Maxwell, achieving the fantastic time of time of 2:41:55 in the Prague Marathon and Sammy Drummond, finishing 16th in the Newry Half Marathon.