Springwell athletes take leading part in Larne half marathon event

The well organised event, hosted by Larne AC, was also the second race of the Pure Running-ChampionChip Ireland Half Marathon Series.

In perfect running conditions the seemingly endless field of runners set off on their 13.1 mile journey, through the town centre and then along the famous County Antrim coastline, between Larne and Ballygally finishing back at Larne Leisure Centre.

Vincent Kiprotich (Project Africa) led the field home breaking the tape in a new course record of 1:06:12. Eddie McGinley (Annadale Striders) followed in 1:07:01 and the final podium place went Northern Ireland native Jarlath McKenna (Bristol & West AC) in 1:11:12.

The ladies race was won by North Belfast’s Breege Connolly who cruised to victory in a new course record of 1:16:19.

A tired but happy Selinah Kangogo (Project Africa) followed in 1:20:11, before Maeve Lavery (DUB Runners) completed the ladies top three in 1:24:49.

Springwell’s Bryan Edgar, Chris Denton, Jim Breen and Fran McFadden picked up age category prizes.

Springwell Times - Bryan Edgar 1:19:18 (1st M50), Paul Thompson 1:19:33, Chris Denton 1:19:45 (1st M40), Colin Loughery 1:25:47, Jim Breen 1:28:55 (1st M60), Dave Sexton 1:29:07, Gerard Mullan 1:29:25, Fran McFadden 1:30:00 (PB, 1st F40), Richard Crown 1:31:01, Gary Moore 1:32:45 (PB), Stephen Fillis 1:32:49 (PB), Anthony Higginbottom 1:33:32, Gemma Turley 1:33:43 (PB), Kevin McLean 1:34:03, Alex Curran 1:34:37, Roger Poland 1:37:12 (PB), Aidan Devine 1:35:13, Simon Moore 1:38:29, Davy MacNicol 1:38:30 (PB), Cathal McFeeley 1:38:42, Kerrie McIlmoyle 1:38:40 (PB), Eddie Clyde 1:38:45, Linda Gillen 1:39:29, Ryan Kennedy 1:39:31, Amanda Connell 1:39:54 (PB), Bernadette O’Kane 1:40:01, Peter Jack 1:40:01, Kenny Coulter 1:40:02, Jean-Claude Bourgeois 1:41:14, Noel Harkin 1:44:21, Catherine Butcher 1:44:29, Martin Shevlin 1:44:43, Alison McAllister 1:46:40 (PB), Darren Madden 1:47:45, Bob Purcell 1:48:58(PB), Alison Kelly 1:51:51(PB), Paul Irwin 1:54:22, Lelsey Irwin 1:58:35 (PB), Melanie Millar 2:01:08 (PB), Catherine Pinkerton Moore 2:06:01, Nigel McNeill 2:07:17, Heather Coulter 2:10:13, Angela Calderwood 2:11:01 (PB), Emily McLaughlin 2:12:32 (PB), Sharon Bingham 2:15:23 (PB), Sandra Rosborough 2:18:41 (PB), David Boorman 2:18:41 (PB), Nicola Farrell 2:20:39 (PB), Sharon Brown 2:21:21 (PB) and Kenny Bacon 2:30:54.

Springwell’s Judith Smyth was a member of the Roddensvale School’s mixed relay team that finished in 2:09:31.

Springwell Junior Niamh Carr made the debut for Irish School’s on Saturday at the SIAB Schools International Cross Country Championships at Santry Demense, just outside Dublin. Niamh ran well to finish 24th in 10:57 in the Junior Girls race.

Springwell’s Bob and Judith McLaughlin travelled to Portugal for the 25th Lisbon Half Marathon on Sunday. The race was won by Mo Farrah in 59.22 a European record and became the first Briton to break the 60 minute barrier.

Springwell’s Alison Rankin, Chris Millar, Ursula Harper, Ciara Toner and their dogs took part in the first Waggy Races 5K on Portstewart Strand on Sunday.

Springwell’s Ross Armstrong, Alistair Shaw and Nigel McNeill took part in the East Antrim Eclipse Marathon in Greenisland on Friday morning. Ross and Alistair ran 3:27:40 and Nigel ran a PB 3:53:17.

On Saturday 14 March Springwell Runners made the short trip to Benone beach for the Run to Remember 10K. Ian Bailey (41:52) led the runner’s home in the 10K with Springwell’s Kerrie McIlmoyle first lady home in 46:06. Stephen Smyth ran 60:55.

Niall Tumity led the 5K runner’s home in 28:10. Springwell’s Fiona Walls ran 33:37.It was another calm spring morning for Saturday’s Portrush parkrun. Although there was a 2.5m high tide, another slight alteration to the turning point made it possible to use the beach route.

Portrush welcomed visitors from local parkruns, Dublin and England.

Patricia McNally became the first lady to complete 100 parkruns at Portrush while Wilson Craig became the latest junior to have completed 10 parkruns.

Among the 88 runners there were 13 first timers, 9PB’s were recorded and 9 different athletics clubs represented.

First finisher was Allan Boggle in 17:19 and first lady was Springwell’s Sonia Knox in 20:05

Springwell Times - Sonia Knox 20:05, Nigel Armstrong 21:28, Dave Holden 21:50, Mervyn Thompson 22:50, Robert Workman 22:56, Noel McAllister 23:49, Rozzy Skuce 25:43, Roslind Overend 27:18, Davy Patterson 28:07, Elaine Montgomery 28:41 (PB), Molly Blee 28:46, Ellen Knox 29:50, Victoria, Abi & Hannah Smyth 40:30

Alistair Shaw was second finisher at Waterworks parkrun in a PB time of 18:22 and Bernie Drain ran 30:51 at ECOS parkrun.