Springwell succes at Causeway Coast Series

Springwell Running Club had a good day at 26extremes Causeway Coast Marathon Series on Saturday with one win and five podium finishes.

Athletes from across the province and further afield descended on one of Northern Ireland’s and the world’s most scenic locations for the event which included a 65K Ultra Marathon, Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K.

Conditions on the day were perfect for spectating but not for long distance running and a number of the runners suffered in the heat.

The hardy ultra-runners had an early start setting off from Portstewart Strand at 7.15. They made their way round the coast to join the marathon course at Portballntrae.  

Justin Maxwell (East Coast AC) led the ultra runners’ home in 5:34:21. A tired but happy Ian Lockington crossed the line in 5:59:39 for second place.  Springwell’s Nicki McPeake followed on from his win at the Titanic 101k with another podium place, taking third place in 6:05:34.

In the ladies race, local lady Helena Dornan (Ballycastle Runners) started well and led early on, but it was Christina McKenzie who stole the headlines claiming victory in 6:48:30.  

Helena completed what has been an amazing month with a second place finish, clocking 6:50:01 for the 65K.

Janeen McGregor (Springwell) completed the ladies podium in 7:46:28 (third place).

Springwell’s Alistair Shaw completed the 65K in 7:17:22 and Graeme Morrison 8:27:52.

In the Marathon; Ballydrain Harriers’ David Simpson showed his class as he led from start to finish and looked relaxed throughout. David broke the tape in 3:18:46 to seal a comfortable and deserved victory.

Stuart Paulin (Unattached) took second place finishing in 3:28:52.  

Local man and well respected athlete, Chris Denton (Springwell Running Club) took third place less than a minute later, after crossing the line in 3:29:33.  

The ladies 26.2 mile race turned out to be a very close affair.  After an early exchange of places it was Sarah Kelland took the lead and celebrated victory in 4:28:36.  North Belfast Harriers Helen Weir followed in 4:34:55 (second place), before Naula McLaughlin (Ballymena Runners) pipped Sarah Doherty (Unattached) to the finish line; although both ladies recorded a time of 4:35:20, Nuala was awarded third place.

Springwell’s Ross Armstrong came home in 4:47:07 followed by John Butcher 5:19:35, Betty Deighan 5:36:40, Rebecca Clarke and Caroline Taylor 6:35:21, Zara Hunter 6:43:51 and Debbie Tutty 6:54:31.

Marc Jennings (North Belfast Harriers) led the runners’ home in the Half Marathon crossing the line in 1:30:49. Less than forty seconds later, Peter Cromie (1:31:26) took second place; Springwell’s Phillip Tweedie followed home in 1:32:12 for third place.  Karen Alexander (Sperrin Harriers) was one of the star performers of the day; the experienced trail runner led from the gun finishing in 1:34:2. Lagan Valley AC’s Julie Murphy clocked 1:51:04 to take second place, finishing ahead of Anne Bonner (1:53:52).

Springwell’s Nicola Frizelle finished in 1:58:25 and David McClean 2:01:25.

The final race of the day was the 10K, which started at Dunseverick and finished at the atmospheric Portballntrae (the finishing place for all the races).  Archie McElhinney (Sperrin Harriers) was a dominant force throughout, before breaking the tape in 41:20 to win.  Andrew MacLaine (43:35) and Peter Hopley (44:42) followed in second and third place respectively.  

Gemma Turley (Springwell Running Club) continued what has been an excellent year; with at least ten race wins to her name in 2013, this tough 10K will surely go down as one of Gemma’s most enjoyable victories considering the scenic course.  She crossed the line in 46:09 to seal the win with team mate Sonia Knox second in 47:49 and Karrie Taylor third in 52:19.

Karen Morrison and her sister Catherine Meredith came home in 62:27

Springwell’s Kieran O’Neill, Bryan and Margaret Edgar were among the large number of Northern Ireland based runners who made the long cross border trip to Galway for the annual Galway Bay 10K and Half Marathon on Saturday.  Both events are set on the shores of the infamous Galway Bay, with the courses covering quite a lot of the scenic coastline.

Gerry O’Hanlon (Clonliffe Harriers) won the 10K in 33:31 with Sarah Mulligan (DSD) taking the ladies prize in 35:05.

Springwell’s Margaret Edgar completed the 6.1 mile race after covering the distance in 56:17.

The Half Marathon was won by Ireland based Moldovan athlete Sergui Ciobanu (Clonliffe Harriers) in 1:07:11, while Pauline Curley (Tullamore Harriers) claimed the ladies top prize in 1:20:03.

Springwell Running Club’s Kieran O’Neill finished 10th in 1:23:15 and first international runner home and Bryan Edgar was 15th in 1:25:27 (15th place).  

In perfect running conditions a record number of runners turned out for the annual Bangor 10K Road Race on Saturday.

Paul Pollock (Annadale Striders) 30:45 and Julie Turley (Dromore AC) 36:39 were the major prize winners.

Catherine Bell-Allen 47:06 was the first Springwell Runner home followed by Stephen Smyth 55:34, Danny McHenry 62:15, Heather McConaghie 64:20, Shirley Jackson 65:00, Victoria Smyth 65:29, Catherine Byers 65:36, Paula Taggart 70:01 and Linda McHenry 77:36.

Conditions were perfect for Portrush Parkrun on Saturday. Firm sand, sunshine and a slight breeze led to eighteen PB’s.

Philip McAfee 20:35 and Springwell’s Karen McLaughlin 20:48 led the runners home both producing PB performances.

Springwell Times: Johnny Goldie 21:44, Robert Workman 22:15, Mervyn Thompson 22:28, Ailbhe Kendall 23:25, Roslind Overend 24:30, Clare Smyth 27:56, Conor Kendall 27:58, Gary Kendall 28:00, Jack Kendall 36:29, Kay Hack 55:15 and Ruairi Kendall 55:15.

Springwell’s Colin and Janet Brennan completed the Mourne Mountain Marathon two day endurance and navigation event on 21-22 September.

Running in the C class 35K race they finished 12th on day one in 5:16:07 and 5th on day two in 4:08:22 moving up to 8th place overall.

On Saturday 21 September, Springwell’s Gillian Wasson and Gemma Turley travelled to Dungannon for the annual running of the Felix 10K Road Race.

Keith Shiels (Foyle Valley AC) led the field home in 30:59.  

The ladies race also attracted a talented field, with Karen Alexander (Sperrin Harriers) leading the ladies home in 37:33.  The fast improving Heather Foley continued her rise through the ranks, with another podium place; the hot prospect sealed 2nd place in 38:03, while Cathy McCourt celebrated her return from injury with an impressive performance, crossing the line in 38:09 (third place).

Gillian came home in fifth place in 38:33 (1st F35) and Gemma sixth in 39:28.

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