Springwell Running Club - Press Release – 29th January 2018

This weekend saw Springwell RC in action on the road, trail and cross country terrains with members competing in Dungiven, Cookstown and Belfast. Saturday’s efforts were then followed by an evening of prizes and trophies as the club awards for 2017 were presented.

NI & Ulster Intermediate and Masters Cross Country Championships

On Saturday 27th January this event, hosted by Athletics NI, was held at the impressive Billy Neill Centre of Excellence for Soccer in Dundonald. The heavy rain throughout January meant that the course, made up of 2k laps was already heavy going and became increasingly slippy as the race programme progressed. The conditions however did nothing to detract from some excellent performances.

In the Masters Men’s 8k race it was experiences mountain runner Ian Bailey (Newcastle AC) who took first place in a tightly contested race. There was little between the lead group until the final lap when Ian and Neil Weir (Willowfield Harriers) broke away from the lead group to battle to the line, with Ian just edging it in 27.42. Neill claimed a well-deserved second place in 27.44, with Dermot McElchar (Finn Valley AC) crossing the line third in 27.59.

Springwell RC had three representatives at the race with Paul Thompson 28th in 30.44, Alex Brennan 42nd 31.50 and Barry Mullan 53rd 32.54.

Springwell RC’s Alex Brennan, Paul Thompson and Barry Mullan

St Patrick’s Dungiven 5 & 10k

Running in aid of St Patrick’s College in Dungiven these popular 5 & 10k races were held on Saturday 27th January. Starting at St Patrick’s college competitors had the easy part of the course first, running down the A6 through Dungiven before turning onto the Ballyquinn Road and following the roads around the town for a scenic, if challenging climb back to the college.

Springwell RC’s Lauren Hazlett – 1st junior female at the St Patrick’s 5k (photo – Sam Cooke)

Springwell RC where well represented at the race and it was junior athlete, Lauren Hazlett who set the standard, winning the junior female category in the 5k event. Lauren finished 11th overall in a time of 21.43. In the 10k event Ciaran Ferris finished third with a time of 37.18 and last year’s winner Kerrie McIlmoyle was second in the ladies race, finishing 17th overall in a time of 44.13.

Springwell RC’s James Stewart at the St Patrick’s 10k (photo – Sam Cooke)

Springwell RC Results

5k - 7th Glen Millar 17.29, 11th Lauren Hazlett 21.43 (1st FJ)

10k - 3rd Ciaran Ferris 37.18, 6th James Stewart 39.19, 9th Jeff Young 41.25, 13th James McMullan 42.49, 17th Kerrie McIlmoyle 44.13 (2nd F), 18th Timothy Bacon 44.22, 20th Amanda Connell 44.44, 21st Martin Smith 44.47, 25th Aiden Devine 46.14, 30th Catherine Pinkerton 47.30, 37th Noel McAllister 49.02, 67th Jo Quinn 55.39, 69th Andrew Wilmot 56.50

Sperrin Harriers Winter League Trail Series

Saturday 26th January saw the penultimate event of the Sperrin Harriers winter league trail series, the Drum Manor 10k, take place at Drum Manor Forest Park outside Cookstown.

This popular event consisted of two 5k laps through the forest park and it was the winner of the previous race in the series, the An Creagan 5 Miler, Jason Wilson (Ballymena Runners AC) who again won with a time of 37.13, Shane Donnelly (Unaffiliated) was second in 37.36 while Conor Maguire (Omagh Harriers) finished third place in a time of 37.40.

 Springwell RC’s Karen McLaughlin at the Drum Manor 10k (photo Richard McLaughlin)

In the ladies Grace Carson (Mid Ulster AC) took victory in an excellent time of 41.58, Gillian Wasson (Ballymena Runners AC) continued her recent good form with second in 43.28, while Helena Quinn (Termoneeny Running Club) completed the podium, taking third place in 44.24.

Karen McLaughlin (Springwell RC) finished as 5th lady and won her age category in a time of 45.22 while Jim Breen (Springwell RC) continued his return to fitness with a second place in his age category, finishing 45th in 50.09.

Springwell RC Results - 23rd Karen McLaughlin 45.22 (1st F45), 45th Jim Breen 50.09 (2nd M60), 97th Bob McLaughlin 1.00.09, 106th Elaine Montgomery 1.03.57

Springwell RC’s Jim Breen and Elain Montgomery at the Drum Manor 10k

Springwell RC’s Elain Montgomery at the Drum Manor 10k

Springwell Running Club Annual Awards

Saturday evening saw Springwell Running Club gather at the Bushtown Inn, Coleraine for their annual awards evening. Hosted by Club President Mr Jim Reid MBE the evening celebrates the athletic achievements and contributions that members have made to the club.

Ciara Toner receives the Club Championship Trophy from Fran McFadden

With a year of victories, podium finishes and new club records it was Ciara Toner who won the ladies club championship and the female athlete of the year. In 2017 Ciara recorded victories at the Termoneeny 10k, Wilkies 5 Mile Road Race and the Dessies 10k Road Race as well as a very credible third place in the 2017 Belfast Half Marathon. Amongst numerous other wins and podium finishes she also set new club records for the 10k, 10 mile and half marathon distances as well as earning representative honours when she ran for the Northern Ireland Master F35 team at Gransha Park Cross Country.

Mariette Mulvenna receives her Newcomers Trophy from Paul Dornan

The men’s club championship was won by Steven McAlary. Steven had a very successful year, winning the Cookstown Half Marathon and the Run Rathlin 10 mile Road Race. He also earned representative honours at the Gransha Cross Country where his efforts earned Northern Ireland the Bronze Medal.

The male athlete of the year was Neil Johnston. Neil has represented Northern Ireland at several events during 2017, including the prestigious Armagh International Road Races and International Track & Field events at the Mary Peters Track. Throughout 2017 Neil has claimed numerous wins and podium places, most recently winning the Comber Cup, Malcolm Cup and the Gransha Cross Country. In 2017 he set new club records for the 5 & 10k and, when winning the Lacpatrick 5 he set a new club record for the 5 mile.

Neil Johnston and Ciara Toner receive their athlete of the year awards from Springwell RC President Jim Reid

All the award winners.

Ladies Club Championship - Ciara Toner

Men’s Club Championship – Steven McAlary

Newcomers Awards

Ballymoney - Terry Glenn

Coleraine - Eimear Quinn

Limavady - Jeff Young

Garvagh - Mariette Mulvenna

Tenderfoot - Elaine Montgomery

Rankin Endeavour Award (female) - Fiona Walker

Rankin Endeavour Award (male) - Will Colvin

Female Athlete of the Year - Ciara Toner.

Male Athlete of the Year – Neil Johnston

Hall of Fame - Jim Platt

Eimear Quinn receives her Newcomers award from Gary Kendall – Ross Armstrong presents Fiona Walker with the Rankin Endeavour Shield.