Springwell double at Ballyrashane Milk Run 5 Mile

On Friday over two hundred runners turned out for the Milk Run 5 Mile (and associated children’s races) sponsored by Ballyrashane Creamery. The 5 mile road race, starts and finishes at the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre was hosted by Springwell Running Club and Causeway Coast and Glens Sports Development Unit.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Aug 2015, 08:26 BST
Ladies podiumLadies podium
Ladies podium

The main race was preceded by the Children’s Fun Runs and Cathair Donnelly led the runners home in the 8-11’s 1K race with Anna Wilson the first girl home.

Rebecca Wallace was a runaway winner in the 12-14’s 1.5K, with Aaron Fleming first boy home. Thirty school children took part in both races; all finishing received a medal and a bottle of milk or water.

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As expected, the event attracted a plethora of talent, including the host club’s defending Champion Neil Johnston. Neil looked a class act as he took nearly one minute off his 2014 winning time (26:46), recording a new personal best and club record of 25:55 to retain his title. Team mate Conor Christie sealed the runners up prize in a sprint finish holding off the challenge from Ballymena Runners’ Michael Bennett, with Conor running 27:58 and Michael 27:59.

The ladies race was an epic battle between Gemma Turley (Springwell Running Club) and Cathy McCourt (North Belfast Harriers).  In the end Gemma broke the tape first, taking top honours in 30:47. Cathy followed in 30:56, while Ballymena Runners’ Kerry Bamber completed the top three in 32:54

Results: Male Open - 1st Neil Johnston (Springwell RC) 25:55; 2nd Conor Christie (Springwell RC) 27:58; 3rd Michael Bennett (Ballymena Runners) 27:59. M35 Kevin O’Boyle 28:34; M40 Richard Agnew (Ballymena Runners) 28:26; M454 Matt Wray 28:31; M50 Nat Glenn (North Belfast) 28:06; M55 Noel Adair 35:46; M60 Ray Curran (Ballymena Runners) 33:11; M65 Jim Platt (Springwell RC) 39:23; Male Junior Luke Dinsmore (Springwell RC) 28:43.

Female Open -1st Gemma Turley (Springwell RC) 30:47; 2nd Cathy McCourt (North Belfast) 30:56; 3rd Kerry Bamber (Ballymena Runners) 32:54. F35 Kirsty Sharratt (Larne AC) 35:18; F40 Geraldine Quigley (Ballymena Runners) 33:19; F45 Penny Lindsay (North Belfast) 34:16; F50 Lynda Jeffers 41:10; F55 Judith McLaughlin (Springwell RC) 43:52; F65 Bridgid Quinn (Ballymena Runners) 43:06.

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Kids Races: 8-11 1K. Boy’s 1st Cathair Donnelly 3:56, 2nd Jack Hamilton 4:02, 3rd Conor Donnelly. Girls 1st Anna Wilson 5:08, 2nd, Imogen Baker 5:10, 3rd Lila Millar 5:15. Age 12-14 1.5K. Boy’s 1st Aaron Fleming 4:39; 2nd Adam McComb 5:08, 3rd Mark McNeill 5:09. Girls 1st Rebecca Wallace 4:39, 2nd Gemma Quigg, 3rd Olivia Baker.

Springwell’s Nigel McNeill and John Butcher took part in Oakland Insurance Causeway Challenge. The marathon started in Portrush finishing at the Marine Hotel, Ballycastle. John and Nigel crossed the line together in second place in 4:24:14.