Springwell’s Neil Johnston wins ‘Stanley Reid Memorial’ 5 Mile race

A record 325 runners took part in the ‘Stanley Reid Memorial’ 5 Mile Road Race hosted by Sperrin Harries on Friday evening.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Aug 2014, 10:11 BST
Neil Johnson breaks the tape to win the 'Stanley Reid Memorial' 5 Mile Road Race in Cookstown. (picture courtesy of Event Stands)Neil Johnson breaks the tape to win the 'Stanley Reid Memorial' 5 Mile Road Race in Cookstown. (picture courtesy of Event Stands)
Neil Johnson breaks the tape to win the 'Stanley Reid Memorial' 5 Mile Road Race in Cookstown. (picture courtesy of Event Stands)

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

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.  

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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.  

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.