Springwell runners do the double at Downhill Demense

On Saturday, Springwell Running Club in association with the National Trust welcomed athletes from across the province to their annual Downhill Demesne 5 Mile Trail Race.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Aug 2015, 07:00 BST
Some of the Springhill runners who took part in the Downhill Demesne 5 Mile Trail RaceSome of the Springhill runners who took part in the Downhill Demesne 5 Mile Trail Race
Some of the Springhill runners who took part in the Downhill Demesne 5 Mile Trail Race

The event took place within the stunning Downhill Estate close Castlerock.  The 5 mile undulating and at times slightly technical course covers two laps and leads runners through the ruins of the estate’s house.

At the head of the field, it was the host club’s Neil Johnston who proved his worth.  He looked in good form as he sealed victory by nearly two minutes crossing the line in 32:38. Club mate Luke Dinsmore claimed second place in 34:15.  Ballymena Runners’ Jason Wilson showed that he is getting back to his best taking the final podium place in 35:03.

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Springwell’s Ciara Toner who has been in fine good form recently led the ladies home in 38:08.  Fellow Springwell athlete Bernadette O’Kane secured the runners up spot in 40:41, while Nicola Swinson (PACE Running Club)  saw off the challenge of Judith Worthington (Ballymena Runners) to take third place in 43:39.

Springwell Times - Neil Johnston 32:38 (1st MO), Luke Dinsmore 34:15 (2nd MO), Stephen Fillis 37:10, David Jackson 37:59 (1st M45), Ciara Tonor 38:08 (1st FO), Bernadette O’Kane 40:41 (2nd FO), Roger Poland 41:07, Richard Baker 41:31, Alwyn Hunt 42:34, Neil McIvor 46:35, Catherine Bell-Allen 48:51 (1st F45), Owen Anderson 49:37, Conor Kendall 50:34, Kay Hack 50:50, Sharon Bingham 60:18.

Springwell Juniors travelled to the Mary Peters Track, Belfast on Thursday evening for the final meeting in the Firmus Super 6 Series. The juniors enjoyed another great night of athletic competing both on the track and field events.

Emma Service finished 3rd in the Mini Long Jump (2.91m) and ran 2.36.36 to finish 13th in the 600m, Jessica Morgan threw 5.73m to finish 7th in the U13 Shot, Laura Brolly ran 31.31 for fifth place in the U13 200m, Erin Bratten recorded a PB 2.49.94 to finish 6th in the U13 800m with Abbi Poland 11th in 3.02.06.

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Aine McKinney continued her preparations for next month’s Sainsbury’s UK Schools Games in Manchester finishing second in the U17 Girls 800m in 2.21.47.

John Gordon ran 2.03 to win the 800m B race. Neil Johnston topped off a good night for Springwell by winning the final race of the series clocking a PB 1.55.16 for the 800m.

Nearly six hundred athletes descended on Silent Valley Country Park in the heart of the Mourne Mountains on Saturday for the annual Dambusters Half Marathon, hosted by events management company Born 2 Run. The 13.1 mile event was the final race of the Pure Running-ChampionChip Ireland Half Marathon Series 2015. Team Runwell’s Camron Burns secured victory in 1:21:09 with Karen Alexander (Acorns AC) first lady in 1:25:52.

Springwell’s Dee Boorman completed the 13.1 miles in 2:01:33 and Stephen Smyth 2:22:01.

Related topics:National Trust