Roe Valley Country Park Trail Run

The 8K Trail Run was organised in association with NI Environment Agency and was sponsored by Gabriel Devlin Motors, Limavady. Conditions on the day were good it was mild and the early morning rain cleared up in time for the races. But the rain and snow recently meant the competitors faced a muddy challenge over the three lap course.

The first race of the day was the Primary School 800m with twenty five youngsters competing in the out and back course. Odhran McLarnon led the field home in 3:17 and Springwell’s Molly Rodgers (3:43) was first girl. Springwell Results: Conor Kendall 2nd 3:32, Erin McLaughlin 5th 3:46, Shannon Hegarty 7th 3:52, Mia Kelly 8th 3:57, Niamh Mulligan 9th 3:58, Leionha Mulligan 10th 4:00, Jodie Patterson 11th 4:07, Katie Crown 12th 4:09, Megan Nelson 13th 4:12, Thomas Allen 14th 4:16, Thomas Nolan 15th 4:19, Kate Dallas 17th 4:20, Eve Mullan 18th 4:23, Justin Harkin 19th 4:28, Ruairi Kendall 20th 4:33, Alice Mullan 21st 4:37, Rachel Fountain 22nd 4:47, Natalie Leake 23rd 4:48, Faye Doorish 24th 5:06 and Eva Jones 25th 6:32.

Sixteen took part the Secondary School 1600m out and back course. Springwell’s Ailbhe Kendall led them home in 6:28 and Emily Alexander, Ballymena Academy was first girl home in 7:40. Springwell Results: Andrew Gordon 2nd 6:30, Jamie Nolan 6th 7:31, Jill Thompson 10th 8:01, Amy Fountain 12th 8:24, Conor McGowan 13th 8:53, Alice Crown 14th 9:16, Chloe Moore 15th 9:31 and Ben Nolan who lost his shoes in the mud at the start and had to retrieve them before running on to finish in 12:02.

The ladies were first off in the 8K Trail Race. Sperrin Harriers, Karen Alexander was a comfortable winner of the race in 30:38 with Springwell’s Alexandra Kirk 2nd in 31:31 and Gemma Turley 3rd in 31:42. Prize winners: FO35 Sonia Knox, Springwell RC, 34:55; FO40 Alison Rankin, Springwell RC, 33:22, FO45 Sharon Schindler, Unattached, 47:17; FO50 Anne Paul, City of Derry, 32:13; FO60 Bridgit Quinn, Ballymena Runners, 41:56. Springwell Results: Ciara Toner 33:39, Karen McLaughlin 34:21, Caroline Irwin 34:35, Nicola Frizelle 34:41, Orla McGuiness 34:56, Bernadette O’Kane 35:08, Grace Postma 35:46, Katherine Woods 37:48, Betty Deighan 42:12, Debbie Tutty 46:03, Rebecca Clarke 46:42 and Fiona Walls 51:17.

The Male Vets and Male Junior race was won by Ballymena Runners Mark Alexander (1st MO40) in 29:30 with team mate Noel Connor (1st MO50) second in 29:35 and Springwell’s David Jackson (2nd MO40) third in 30:24. Prize winners: MO45 Alan Shaw, Sperrin Harriers, 32:11; MO55 Jim Breen, Springwell RC, 31:45; MO60 Francis Boal, Lagan Valley, 36:08 and MO65+ Norman Lellyett, North Down, 38:17; Male Junior Dean Parkhill, Ballymena Runners, 36:04. Springwell Results: Thomas Moore 31:47, James McMullan 33:26, Brian Scullion 35:09, Michael Rankin 39:35 and Davy Patterson 42:41.

Foyle Valley’s, in form, Scott Rankin recorded the fastest time of the day as he came home to win the Male Open race in 26:40. City of Derry’s Richard Johnston was second in 26:58 and Christopher McPeake third in 27:18. Springwell Results: Kieran O’Neill 28:15, Rhodri Jones 29:02, Paul Thompson 29:43, Stephen Joyce 30:56, Alistair Shaw 31:59, Andrew Dowey 32:20, David Irwin 35:05, Noel Harkin 41:21.

The club would like to thank Gabriel Devlin Motors for sponsoring the race without his finical support the race would not have been possible. Thanks to Gerard Cutmore of NI Environment Agency and his staff at the Country Park, Noel Harkin for the use of the Ritter Tea Rooms for presentation of prizes, British Red Cross for providing First Aid cover and all the volunteers who helped make the event a success.

Springwell Juniors travelled to Meadowbank Sports Arena, Magherafelt on Saturday for the McCain NI & Ulster Juvenile Indoor Championships. In the traditionally cold, but impressively kitted out arena there were some excellent performances from the future stars of Northern Ireland running. Springwell’s Aife McSheffrey looked comfortable as she led from start to finish to win the Girls U16 800m and Emma Lusby was second in both the Girls U18 800m and 1500m.

Springwell Results

Boy’s U12 600m - Eoghan Gormley 7th 2.02.98.

Girls U12 600m - Natasha Simmons 12th 2.29.08.

Girls U14 800m - Molly Spence 11th 3.01.19.

Girls U15 Long Jump - Katie Green 7th 3.45m, Sinead Gormley 8th 3.28m. High Jump - Katie Green 8th 1.25m, Sinead Gormley 9th 1.15.

Girls U16 800m - Aife McSheffrey 1st 2.25.26, 200m - Leah Gilfillan 3rd in Heat 29.68 and Long Jump - 10th 3.57m.

Boys U17 Alexander Williams 800m - 7th 2.42.73, 200m - 4th in Heat 28.27, Long Jump - 5th 4.46.

Girls U18 Emma Lusby 800m - 2nd 2.35.08, 1500m - 2nd 5.35.91.

Firm sand, light winds, a slight drizzle and mild temperatures, conditions were good for the 42 runners at the Portrush Parkrun on Saturday resulting in 23 PB’s.

Springwell’s Chris Denton 18:16 was the first runner home with junior member Hermione Skuce first lady in a PB time of 25:40.

Bryan Edgar 18:32(PB), Alistair Shaw 19:02(PB), Gary Watton 21:58(PB), Mervyn Thompson 22:14, Robert Workman 22:32(PB), Margaret Edgar 27:43,Nicki Higgins 30:58(PB), Lisa Boyle 41:41, Victoria & Hannah Smyth 42:20(PB), Stephen and Abi Smyth 45:11(PB).

Springwell’s Johnny Wilson finished 5th at the Queens Parkrun in 19:40

Springwell’s Alistair Start completed his third race of the week end completing the Lifford 5K on Sunday in 18:25. This was the final race in the Daly’s XL Race Series.