Springwell runners take part in 5-mile Classic event

In dry, but windy conditions James Brown (Larne AC) was an impressive winner in 27:14 with Paul O’Callaghan (Sperrin Harriers) second in 27:29 and Eddie Cooke (North Belfast) third in 27:36. In the ladies race, pre-race favourite Springwell’s Gemma Turley continued her excellent form, achieving her second race win in six days, and her third podium spot of the week. The talented Springwell lady clocked 30:43 to win, finishing just ahead of Denise Toner (Clones AC) who crossed the line in 30:49 to take second place. North Belfast Harriers’ Cathy McCourt continued her comeback from injury to take third place in 31:19. Gemma led the ladies team Carol McIlvar 36:25 and Katherine Woods 36:39 to the team prize. Jim Breen 31:21picked up the MO55 prize with Andrew Dowey coming home in 32:11, and Catherine Pinkerton-Moore 40:10. On Friday evening NiRunning hosted a run the mile at Antrim Stadium, Antrim Forum. Competitors travelled from all over the province and from the South of Ireland for the opportunity to test themselves over the classic mile distance. Athletes were placed into groupings that would allow them to compete against runners of a similar ability. Springwell’s sole representative young Dale Corbett went in the first race. Dale was running against more experienced athletes, set the early pace before tiring in the latter stages to come home in 5:46.77 and 17th place overall. The fastest man on the night was East Down’s Neil McCarton 4:45.75 and Caitriona McGloin (Balmoral Harriers) was the fastest lady in 5:42.18. Over one hundred and fifty athletes turned out on Wednesday evening for the first race of the Furey Insurance 5K Series over the fast and flat Bay Road course. The race incorporated Athletics NI’s 5K championship. In breezy conditions, a battle between Declan Reed (City of Derry AC) and Scott Rankin (Foyle Valley AC) ensued, with the talented pairing matching each other stride for stride throughout. In the end, it was the host club’s Declan Reed who claimed an impressive victory, crossing the line in 15:12 to retain his Athletics NI 5K (Road) and Bay Road 5K titles. Scott Rankin took second place in 15:13 and Richard Johnston (City of Derry AC third place in 15:18. Nine members of the Springwell Club made the journey. An eclectic mix of youth and experience, they came away with four of the top prizes on the night. In the men’s race Neil Johnston was first MU20 and sixth overall in a time of 16:07, he was followed by Philip Tweedie in 17:02, Jason McLeister 17:51, Brian Tweedie keeping dad on his toes came home in 18:17. Jim Breen in 19:01, just piped teammate Gerry O’Doherty (19:04) for the MO55 prize. Alistair Bratten came home in 20:22, with Jim Platt first MO70 in 23.09. As expected, the ladies race was an extremely close affair, with Springwell’s in form Gemma Turley pushing City of Derry’s Catherine Woriskey all the way to the line. Both ladies ran PB’s as Catherine crossed the line 18:18 and Gemma second in 18:22, with Omagh Harriers’ Michelle Sturm claiming the final podium place in 18:35. It wasn’t a day for PB’s for the 69 runners taking part in the Portrush Parkrun on Saturday. High tide left very little sand for the runners and what was left was very soft. Springwell’s Glenn Millar 22:57 was first runner home with team mate Abigail McBroom 24:45 first lady across the line. Springwell Times - Robert Workman 24:25, Ailbhe Kendall 24:35, Gary Watton 24:40,Nigel Armstrong 24:40, Gary Kendall 25:47, Mervyn Thompson 25:51, Caroline Irwin 26:11, Jean-Claude Bourgeois 26:39, Roslind Overend 28:37, Sarah Chestnutt 29:46, Conor Kendall 30:07, Alison McAllister 30:08, Ursula Harper 32:11, Margaret Edgar 32:43, Wendy Young 34:59, Donna Young 35:00, Jack Kendall 35:56, Emma Patton 36:43, Nicki Higgins 39:26, Síle McGuinness 39:26, Ruairi Kendall 44:49 and Kay Hack 44:53.