Springwell’s Alexandra Kirk wins Donaghmore 5 Mile

Sperrin Harrier athletes Pauline McCurren (34:50) and Angela O’Neill (35:33) completed the top three.

Omagh Harriers’ Paul Barbour broke the tape in 26:36 to win the race with City of Derry’s Chris McPeake second in 27:02 and Acorn AC’s Darrell McKee third in 28:46.

On Saturday, events Management Company Born 2 Run hosted their popular Dambusters Half Marathon & 10K event in the scenic Silent Valley area of the Mourne Mountains. As well as the stalwart 10K, the annual event included a 13.1 mile race, which was the final race of the 2014 Pure Running Half Marathon Series.

Don Travers (Newry City Runners) 1:23:44 and Liosa McKeown (Gym Tech) 1:34:40 took the major prizes in the Half Marathon with William McKee (Mourne Runners) 36:44 and Jade Hegarty (Unattached) 43:35 first male and female home in the 10K.

Springwell’s John Butcher ran 1:42:17 (PB) and Nigel McNeill 1:47:03 in the Half Marathon.

On Friday, Springwell’s ultra runner Nicki McPeak completed the North Face CCC (Courmayeur Champex Chamonix) 100K mountain trail race finishing. Out of a field of 1900 international runners Nicki finished 164th in what turned out to be very tough weather conditions. He was in the top 100 of his age category (97th) in a time of 17:33:40.

A record number of over three hundred athletes completed the annual Dessie’s 10K Road Race in Derry on Tuesday evening.

In perfect running conditions Scott Rankin (Foyle Valley) led the field home in 31:27 followed by City of Derry pair Greg Roberts (31:30) and Gary Slevin (32:39).

In the ladies race, Irish international Ann-Marie McGlynn (Lifford AC) led from start to finish breaking the tape in 35:58.  Fellow Lifford AC athlete Claire McGuigan was second in 39:35 ahead of Catherine Whoriskey (City of Derry) who secured third place in 39:59.

Neil Johnston was the first Springwell Runner home finishing 6th in 33:27 followed by Bryan Edgar 37:04 (1st M50), Andrew Dowey 38:22, Steven Magill 38:49, Gerry O’Doherty 38:59, Gerard Mullan 40:21, Jim Breen 40:55(1st M60), Dale Corbett 41:19, Karen McLaughlin 42:25 (1st F40), Ryan Kennedy 44:23 (PB), Peter Fleming 45:00, Althea Clarkson 50:11, Aimee McFeely 1:02:26 (PB) and Eddie Clyde 1:02:27.

Although there were clear blue skies and sunshine at Saturday’s Portrush parkrun, the conditions were the most difficult many have seen for some time. High tide at 10.02 left the sand very soft and the slight headwind on the return 2.5K only added to the difficulty.

There were 125 runners, 15 first timers, 9 different athletics clubs represented and, not surprisingly, only 2 PB’s

The first two runners home were unknowns, so either they were not registered parkrunners or they omitted to bring their barcode to the event. The first known finisher was Richard Stringer in 3rd place in a time of 20:48. First lady home was Springwell’s Karen McLaughlin in 23:05.

As well as the usual local parkrun tourists, Portrush welcomed a runner from Arizona. Portrush parkrun will have its second anniversary run on 13 September and there will be a social gathering in the Ramada Hotel, Portrush that evening at 6.00pm, all are welcome.

Springwell Times - Glenn Millar 21:16, Andrew Gordon 21:19, Andy Dowey 22:42, Karen McLaughlin 23:05, Mervyn Thompson 24:29, Robert Workman  25:02, Sarah Chestnutt 26:52, Johnny Goldie 26:53, Gary Kendall 27:11, Bob McLaughlin 28:00, Kay Hack 31:37, Emma Elder 33:30 (PB), Judith McLaughlin 33:32, Fiona Walls 34:35, Jillian McLaughlin 40:20, Eva Gordon 41:16, Sarah Elder 41:28, Melanie Millar 42:29, Chris Denton (with Luke) 46.28.

Springwell’s parkrun tourists – Christopher Millar was first runner home at the Derry City parkrun in a PB time of 18:58, Davy Patterson ran 25:03. Brian Geddis was the fourth runner home at the ECOS parkrun in 20:00, Noelle Watterson 29:10 and Bernie Drain 29:27.