Springwell Running Club - Press Release – 16th December 2018
As if cross country racing wasn’t challenging enough, Storm Deidre arrived on Saturday 15th December, with her attendant yellow weather warnings to add another dimension to the North West Cross Country event at Gransha Park.
Despite the weather this event, hosted by City of Derry Spartans, attracted a high class field for what proved to be a very competitive race. Prior to the Senior Race the junior ranks showed their paces, and in torrential rain and driving wind Springwell RC completed the double in the 3km U16’s race with Roan Wilson winning the boys and Niamh McGarry the girls.
While the rain stopped at the start of the Senior Race the weather compensated for this small mercy with an increase in the wind speed, just in case the Senior’s found it too easy. Once again it was Mark McKinstry (North Belfast Harriers) who took to the front to lead the race from start to finish, winning after completing the 6 km course in an impressive 19.59. The race for the remaining podium places was a close contest between Declan Reed (City of Derry Spartans), Noel Logan (City of Derry Spartans) and Craig McMeechan (North Down AC). On the final lap Craig moved clear to finish second in 20.21, Declan finished third in 20.38 with club mate Noel fourth in 20.57.
Springwell RC at the North West Cross Country
In the Lady’s race Rachel Gibson (North Down AC) won in 22.42, Nakita Burke (Letterkenny AC) was second with a time of 22.55 and Ciara Toner (Springwell RC) completed the podium crossing the line in 23.24.
Springwell RC’s Ciara Toner with COD Spartans Charlie Large
Springwell RC’s Gerry O’Doherty with COD Spartans Charlie Large
In the age category competitions Springwell RC had two wins with Simon Stewart winning the M45’s, having finished 18th in 21.49, and Gerry O’Doherty the M60’s in 72nd place overall with a time of 25.22.
Springwell RC - 11th Jonathan McKee 21.25, 13th Luke Dinsmore 21.33, 18th Simon Stewart 21.49 (1st M45), 30th Dale Corbett 22.52, 35th Barry Mullan 23.00, 40th Ciara Toner 23.24 (3rd lady), 47th Stephen Joyce 23.56, 53rd Colin Loughery 24.17, 66th Darren Walsh 25.04, 68th Maurice Walker 25.19, 72nd Gerry O Doherty 25.22 (1st M60), 73rd David McGaffin 25.31, 76th Hermione Skuce 25.33, 81st Ciara Mc Sherry 25.53, 113th Alistair Bratten 27.59, 119th Kerrie McIlmoyle 28.33, 130th Peter Jack 29.55, 149th Paul Dornan 32.01, 155th Pauline Mullan 32.49, 181st Lara Walsh 38.44
The winner of the U16 Age Group – Roan Wilson
The winner of the U16 Age Group – Niamh McGarry
Irish Uneven Age Group Cross Country Championships
Ryan Smith was Springwell RC’s sole representative at the Irish Uneven Age Group Cross Country Championships which took place in Navan on Saturday 15th December. Running in the U15 Boys 3.5 km race Ryan finished 19th in a time of 12.48.