Springwell’s Johnston wins Stanley Reid Memorial five-mile road race

The race started and finished at Loughry College, Cookstown, and the undulating roads around the college.

In good running conditions, the athletes set off from Loughry College exiting onto the open roads, where a battle ensued; Paul Barbour (Omagh Harriers), Chris McPeake (City of Derry), Barrie Atkinson (East Down) and Neil Johnston (Springwell RC) all played their part at the front, before Neil Johnston moved clear in the final stages to break the tape in 26:12 for first place and a new club record for 5 miles.

Paul Barbour followed just three seconds later in 26:15, while the in-form Barrie Atkinson completed the top three in 26:38

In the ladies race, Heather Foley (Unattached) led from gun to tape, winning in a new course record time of 29:36. Defending champion, Gemma Turley (Springwell RC) followed up her podium place at last weeks ‘Milk Run’ with other runners up spot, in 31:33.

Unattached athlete Charlene Abraham recorded 31:40 for third place.

Springwell Times - Neil Johnston 26:12 (PB, 1st Male), Stephen Joyce 28:26, Bryan Edgar 29:13, Dale Corbett 29:23 (PB, 1st MJ), Oisin Brennan 30:30, Steven Magill 31:00, Andrew Dowey 31:05, Hugh Boyle 31:23 (1st M60), Gemma Turley 31:33 (2nd Female), Colin Brennan 32:14, Jim Breen 32:32 (2nd M60), Brian Geddis 32:38 (1sy M55), Leslie Ashe 33:18 (2nd M55), Karen McLaughlin 33:49, (1st F40),Ricky Cochrane 34:10 (PB), Colin Apperly 34:13 (PB), Catherine Bell-Allen 37:11 (PB, 1st F45, Alison McAllister 37:18 (2nd F45), David Boorman 41:23 (PB), Nigel Hylands 41:25 (PB), Brendan McLaughlin 42:04, Margaret Edgar 43:57 (PB), Roberta French 45:36 (PB), Danny McHenry 48:05 (PB), Denise Walker 48:07, Kenny Bacon 51:17.

Springwell’s Alistair Shaw travelled to Longwood, Co Meath on Saturday for the latest race in the East of Ireland Marathon Series. In terrible conditions Alistair ran 3:35.

Chris Denton was Springwell’s sole representative at the Cookstown Half Marathon on Sunday 27 July. The event, which is organised by events management group Tri-Limits, was also the ninth race in the 2014 Pure Running-Champion Chip Ireland Half Marathon Series.

On the tough undulating ‘out and back’ course, it was pre-race favourite Barrie Atkinson (East Down AC) who took top honours crossing the line in 1:13:48. In the ladies race Heather Foley (Unattached) produced the performance of the day as she led the ladies home in 1:20:06 this was enough to seal 12th place overall.  

Chris ran well to finish ninth in 1:19:15.

Parkrunners proved they are not fair weather runners with 161 turning up for the 102nd Portrush parkrun on Saturday.  The rain, however, did not dampen spirits as they attempted to beat the incoming high tide due at 11.25am. The ever popular beach start and finish was possible again and the sand was quite firm underfoot.

There were 32 first timers, 34 PB’s recorded and 11 different athletics clubs represented.

First home was Greg Lavery of East Coast AC in 18:39 and first lady was Gillian McNiff of Banbridge District AC in 22:48, both on their first appearance at Portrush parkrun.

Before the run Johnny Goldie was congratulated on completing 82 miles at the recent 24 Hour Race held at the Mary Peters Track.

Springwell Times - Chris Denton 18:56, Robert Simpson  20:06, Andy Deal 20:59, Dave Holden 21:16, Johnny Goldie 22:03, Mervyn Thompson  22:13, Linda Gillen 23:00, Robert Workman 23:02, Rozzy Skuce 25:14, Patrick Irwin 25:24, Lynn Montgomery 26:18, Bronagh Kearns 26:57 (PB), David Patterson 27:06, Kay Hack 27:34, Ursula Harper 27:59, Sharon Brown 29:32, Molly Blee 29:46 (PB),Bernie Drain 30:49, Connor Kendall 31:37, Ruairi Kendall 31:51 (PB), Fiona Walls 32:31, Margaret Edgar 35:02, Bryan Edgar 35:04, Jillian McLaughlin 36:12

Springwell’s Kerrie McIlmoyle was lady home in a PB time of 21:49 at the Derry City parkrun.