Thompson excels as Ormeau Park taken over by Seeley Cup

Springwell's Paul Thompson on his way to finishing first local male in the Half Marathon. INBM30-14S

A sell out crowd set off on the course, which covers the paths in and around the well used city park. Paul Pollock of Annadale Striders led the runner’s home in a winning time of 30:15. Scott Rankin (Foyle Valley) crossed the line in 31:13 for second place and City of Derry AC’s Greg Roberts finished clear in third place in 31:50.

The ladies race was won by Kerry O’Flaherty (Newcastle AC) leading the ladies from the gun. Kerry ran a controlled race to take the win in an impressive 34:41. North Belfast Harriers’ Louise Smith finished second in 37:19 and Gillian Burns (Dromore AC) third in 38:56.

Paul Thompson was the first Springwell Runner home in 36:30 followed by Dale Corbett 38:05, Alistair Shaw 38:36, Sonia Knox 39:29, David McAfee 39:31, Gemma Turley 39:53, Brian Geddis 40:40 and Jim Platt 49:01.

The early morning rain cleared quickly leaving dry, calm autumn conditions for Saturday’s Portrush parkrun. The low tide at 5.25am meant a beach start was possible, for the first time in quite a few weeks.

There were 58 runners, 2 first timers, 14 PB’s and 3 different athletics clubs represented.

Springwell’s Chris Denton was first home in 18:21 and first lady home was Elizabeth Dawson in 22:16.

Springwell Times - Chris Denton 18:21, Glenn Millar 18:44, Alex Curran 19:19, Robert Simpson 19:43, Andy Deal 20:56, Dave Holden 21:17, Mervyn Thompson 22:09, Ellen Knox 24:59, Lynn Montgomery 25:17 (PB), Kay Hack 25:49, Melaine Millar 27:18, Lindsay Holden 28:28, Sonia Knox (with K9) 43:39.

Springwell parkrun tourists: ECOS parkrun - Louise McDonnell 23:58, Noelle Watterson 28:31; Belfast Victoria parkrun - Davy Patterson 25:20; Armagh parkrun - Alistair Shaw 24:48; Derry City parkrun - Anthony Higginbottom 19:57 (PB).