Well it certainly turned out to be one of those nights in Limavady on Thursday 25 June for the annual Jude Gallagher Memorial ‘Round the Bridges’ 10 mile Road Race.

On a balmy summer evening 220 runners took to the roads around Limavady to challenge themselves over what is a fairly flat, accurate and fast course. It was nice to have the newly elected mayor, Cathal O’Hoisin, to mingle with the runners and help to start the race at 7:15pm. The mayor also returned to present the prizes.

First runner across the line in a super time of 55:50 was Declan Reed from our neighbouring club City of Derry. Second was Damian McGinty also from City of Derry in a time of 57:06 and third runner home was Martin Rea from North Belfast in a time of 57:37. The first lady to finish and 8th overall was Maria McCambridge from Letterkenny in a great time of 60:03. Second lady was Breege Connolly from North Belfast in a time of 64: 27 and third lady was North Belfast’s Lisa Tracey in a time of 66:02. The organising Springwell clubs Gillian Wasson was just outside the ladies prizes in the open category finishing fourth in a time of 69:13. She was to be consoled when she was part of the Springwell ladies team of Catherine Henry 69:45, Fran McFadden 71:39 and Karen McLaughlin 75:50 who won the ladies team prize. The men’s team prize was won by City of Derry with Declan Reed, Damian McGinty, Gerry Duddy and Dara Furey.

The category prize winners were as follows:

FO35 - Janice White, Fitness First Ballymena, FO40 - Brenda Magee, Unattached, FO45 - Fionnuala McCourt, Lagan Valley, FO50 - Mary Mackin, Dromore, FO60 - Bridgit Quinn, Ballymena Runners.

MO40 - James Turtle, Ballymena Runners, MO45 - Gerry Duddy, City of Derry, MO50 - Greg McClure, North Belfast, MO55 - Ray Curran, Ballymena Runners, MO60 - Irwin Spiers, Sperrin Harriers, MO65 - Christy McMonagle, City of Derry.

First home for Springwell was the inform Philip Mullan 63:02 followed by Dave Sexton 64:23, Harry Reilly 64:45, Jim Breen 64:48, Colin Loughery 66:07, David Jackson 66:18, Johnny Wilson 68:02, Rodney McDaid 68:26, Tommy Bradley 68:32, James McMullan 68:55, Johnny Goldie 69:26, Gerard Mullan 69:40, Hugh Deighan 72:09, George Henderson 72:27, Robert Workman 75:22, David Carton 75:56, Jim Platt 76:32, Richard Nolan 78:57, Catherine Butcher 79:01, David Gault 79:42, Paul Doran 79:48, Ella Loughery 83:12, Chris Capper 84:57, Brendan McLaughlin 89:18 and Richard Bown 94:54.

Springwell had 29 runners taking part in the race as well as a myriad of helpers. A special thanks to all those club members who did registration, marshalled the course and helped at the finish line. Also to friends and family, Linda, Carmel, Betty, Susan and Chris for their help. To Springwell junior members and their parents who helped at the water stations, a big thank you.