Springwell at International Cross Country

SPRINGWELL athletes travelled to Antrim on Saturday for the IAAF International Cross Country at the Greenmount Campus. The event was organised and promoted by Athletics Northern Ireland and sponsored by Antrim Borough Council and McCain. There were races for all age groups from Primary School through to Vets.

Springwell’s star performer on the day was once again Conor Christie. The Ulster and Irish champion in the U14 age group went in the Boys U15 race (3.6K). Conor showed great maturity following his coach’s instructions and letting the other athletes do some of the work. With 200 metres to go he made his move and powered down the finishing straight cheered on by the home supporters to record the first local win of the day in a time of 12:59. There were also good performances from Ryan Murray finishing 25th in 14:56 and Brian Tweedie 37th in 16:29.

Deborah Gilliland went in the Girls U15 race over 3.6K. Deborah had an excellent race lying 10th at the mid point in the race, just loosing a few places in the sprint for the line, finishing 14th in a time of 15:52.

Natalie Costello was Springwell’s sole competitor in the Girls U17 race over 3.6K. a longer than usual distance for her, Natlalie showed good stamina and finished strongly to record a time of 17:31.

Luke Dinsmore and Ailbhe Kendall went in the Boys U13 race over 1.8K. Both boys ran well with Luke finishing in 7:25 and Ailbhe in 8:33.

Springwell had six athletes in the Primary Schools 1K races. Helen Tweedie, Charlotte Parr and Aine McKinney went in the Girls race with Helen finishing 13th in 5:16, Charlotte 19th in 5:28 and Aine 22nd in 5.32 Ross Moore had an excellent run in the Boys race finishing 5th in 4:23 followed by Aaron Crawford who ran well to finish 10th in 4:45 and Stephen Cairns finished 36th in 5:19.

Sligo's Mary Cullen (18:45) produced a devastating display of front running to destroy one of the best fields in years to win the Senior Women’s 5.6K race. Hungary’s Aniko Kalovics (19:16) ran a solo race to finish a comfortable second with delighted European Junior bronze medallist Jessica Sparke (19:26) snatching third place ahead of Fionnaula Britton (19:30).

Springwell had four athletes in this race first home was Catherine Henry 23:52 followed by Alison Rankin 25:06, Fran McFadden 25:11, Gillian Wasson 25:55.

The Male Vets 7.4K race was won by Annadale’s Dave Morwood (25:11) in another excellent display of front running.

Ronnie Kidd making his first appearance in Springwell colours was the first club man home in 29:59 followed by Gerry O’Doherty 30:07, David Jackson 30:16, Bryan Edgar 30:20, Alistair Bratten 32:18 and Jimmy McMullan 32:26.

There was the usual African victory in the Senior Men’s 9K event where Kenya's Mike Kigen wasted little time in asserting his authority. The only athlete to go with him early on was Mexican Olympic finalist Juan Luis Barrios. The chasing group included the top British pair of Andy Vernon and Mike Skinner plus the Eritian duo of Mengisteab and Tewelde. Mike Kigen crossed the line in 27:49 with Andy Veron claiming second in 28:40 and Juan Luis Barrios third in 28:51.

Springwell’s International athletes were led home by Marcus Devine 37:09 followed by Chris Millar 39:39, Michael Devine 40:43 and Thomas Moore 41:04.

It was a good day’s racing, with the athletes enjoying the experience of lining up and racing against the international athletes. Next up for the Club is a trip to Stranolar for the NI and Ulster Junior XC Championships at the weekend, with the Club once again hoping to leave an impression in both the Men’s and Ladies race’s.