Super Sunday for Springwell Runners

The 101K runners set off from the Titanic Quarter at 6.00am and followed the coast road to Ballywalter, where they turned and made their way back towards Belfast; on the way, the long distance specialists were joined by the 50K and 25K runners, who started along the coast and made their way towards the finish at the Titanic Quarter.

Springwell’s experienced ultra runner Nicki McPeake led the runners’ home in the 101K to win in 9:24:42 with Ballycastle Runner’s Helen Dornan taking the honours in the ladies race in 9:40:51.

Ger Copeland was first home in the 50K with Springwell’s Ali Shaw finishing third in 4:17:55. Springwell’s success continued as Fran McFadden led the ladies home in the 50K crossing the line in 4:35:12 and teammate Janeen McGregor also completed the 50K in 5:03.

James Crossan (Lifford AC) 1:48:51 and Maeve Gormley 2:06:24 took the honours in the 25K Race.

Springwell Runners were among the fifteen hundred athletes who travelled to Derry on Sunday for the Waterside Half Marathon; the final race in the Pure Running Half Marathon Series.

Perfect weather conditions and a talented field set things up for an excellent race over the fast flat course.  

Foyle Valley’s inform Keith Shiels claimed victory in 1:09:46, just edging City of Derry’s Declan Reed (1:09:47) to the finish line. Foyle Valley’s Scott Rankin completed the men’s top three in personal best time of 1:11:39.

Ann-Marie McGlynn (Lifford AC) had a comfortable victory in the ladies race crossing the line in 1:19:47; North Down’s Julie Balmer claimed second in 1:23:23, while City of Lisburn’s Kelly Neely was third in a new personal best time of 1:24:21.

Springwell Times: Stephen Joyce 1:18:40, Chris Denton 1:21:42, John Apperley 1:27:34, Jim Breen 1:28:11, Eddie Clyde 1:29:29, Kevin McLean 1:32:34, Orla McGinnis 1:34:18 (PB), Scott Bell 1:35:05 (PB), Linda Gillen 1:35:24, Thomas Moore 1:36:11, Cathal McFeely 1:37:03, Paul Campbell 1:37:01, Kenny Coulter 1:37:22, John Butcher 1:44:05, Brian O’Kane 1:45:03, Noel Harkin 1:50:52 (PB), Heather Coulter 2:12:55.

Springwell Runners travelled to Portglenone on Thursday evening for the Run ‘n the Bann 5K. The opening event in the Gig ’n the Bann festival attracted record entries and raised over £1500 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Ballymena Runners Ben Morrow (led the field home in 16:28 followed by North Belfast’s Brendan Grew in 16:40 and Pierce McCullagh (Sperrin Harriers) taking third place in 16:43. Springwell’s Karen McLaughlin ran well to take second place in 20:23, with Ballymena Runners’ Linda Petticrew third in 21:30.

Springwell Times: Paul Thompson 17:09, Bryan Edgar 17:50 (1st M55), Gerry O’Doherty 19:26, Karen McLaughlin 20:23 (1st F40), Alistair Bratten 20:44, Leslie Ashe 20:51, Robert Workman 21:44, Mervyn Thompson 21:49, Molly Brennan 21:51, Hermione Skuce 22:14, Holly Woodhead 22:21, Aine McKinney 23:10, Rebekah Hunter 23:19, Darran Alexander 25:10, Wendy Young 25:13, Margaret Edgar 25:53, Rozzy Skuce 25:58, Julie Clark 26:30, Jennifer Parkhill 27:03, Donna Young 27:16, Valerie Coils 28:14, Michelle Rodgers 28:44, Angela Calderwood 28:58, Catherine Byres 30:07, Joanne Hamilton 30:27, Deirdre Donnelly 30:43, Nikki Higgins 30:46, Paula Taggart 30:46, Marlene King 30:46.

Springwell’s Alsion Rankin braved wet and blustery conditions to complete the annual Keith Reid Memorial 10K in Draperstown on Saturday. Alison finished third in 41:52 behind Sperrin Harriers Karen Alexander 37:47 and Pauline McGurren 40:40.

The race was won by City of Derry’s Chris McPeake (City of Derry AC) who crossed the line in 34:04.

Conditions couldn’t have been worst for Portrush parkruns first anniversary on Saturday morning. Strong winds, heavy rain and high tide greeted the 40 brave souls who put their toe to the line. As it turned out the rain eased, the sand wasn’t as soft as the runners expected and the wind was in their runners favour in the second and final quarter of the run.

Adam Wilson 21:10 was the first runner home with Sonia Knox 23:43 first lady.

Springwell Times: Bryan Edgar 21:12, Karen McLaughlin 24:32, Jean-Claude Bourgeois 25:59, Sarah Chestnutt 28:45, Johnny Goldie 28:45, Stephen Smyth 30:04, Margaret Edgar 32:09, Rozzy Skuce 32:22, Jack Kendall 33:01, Kenny Bacon 33:27(PB), Nikki Higgins 38:08.

James McMullan ran 20:04 at the Derry City Parkrun.