Weekly Race Report - 2nd November 2025
The last couple of weekends have seen the conclusion of a block of training for several Springwell members who were working towards peaking at either Yorkshire Marathon, Dublin Marathon, Frankfurt Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon or New York City Marathon. Those who were running these races would have started training in the middle of the summer, with mileage increasing over the weeks and building fitness for the main event.
There were fantastic performances in all five of the marathons, and Springwell’s 10km club record was threatened yet again by Ciarán Ferris in the Trafford 10k. Meanwhile, the Springwell ladies cross country team have been on the road, firstly to Billy Neill Country Park near Bangor, and then to Sixmilewater Park in Ballyclare, as the Cross Country season is now well and truly underway.
Dublin Marathon
Almost 20,000 runners took to the streets of Dublin last Sunday morning for the 2025 edition of the Dublin marathon. The weather forecast early in the week was looking perfect for marathon running, dry with little to no wind and temperatures in single figures. However, as race day got closer there were signs that showers would pass over the area through the day bringing with them a wind that was slightly stronger than runners were promised.
The wind and rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the runners, or of course the spectators, who turned out in the thousands the entire way around the course – a level of support that is synonymous with Dublin marathon at this point. There were deep crowds around the first couple of miles of the course which starts on Leeson Street before passing St Stephen’s Green and making way across the Liffey and into the Phoenix Park. It’s a steady climb through the Park and into Castleknock, before the course drops in elevation to Chapelizod, where runners cross the Liffey again.
After passing Kilmainham Gaol, the terrain becomes slightly undulating as it approaches Dolphin’s Barn and the Crumlin Road, marking the halfway point. The next stretch offers flatter ground, with a downhill along Templeogue Road into Terenure, completing the third 10K segment.
The final 10K features both descents and testing climbs. After a downhill on Dartry Road, runners tackle an incline on Milltown Road, followed by a 3K climb along Clonskeagh and Roebuck Roads. Around the 35K mark, the well-known “Irish Heartbreak Hill” presents the most formidable challenge before a downhill along Fosters Avenue.
The runners then quickly find themselves in Ballsbridge, from here there are deep crowds ling both sides of Merrion Road, guiding competitors to the finish line just past the Pepper Canister Church beside Merrion Square.
All of our Springwell Members had fantastic performances in Dublin, with not much between Andy Whiteford (2:56:20), Stephen McLaughlin (2:57:10), and Stephen Fillis (2:57:40), who all managed to post impressive sub 3-hour times.
Tina McQuillan was next home in a very impressive 3:16:44, a personal best by almost 18 minutes! George Mimnagh ran a very steady and well-paced 3:37:00. Meanwhile, Conall Doherty marked a new age category with a personal best 3:43:03!
Andy Whiteford 2:56:20; Stephen McLaughlin 2:57:10; Stephen Fillis 2:57:40; Tina McQuillan 3:16:44 (PB); George Mimnagh 3:37:00; Conall Doherty 3:43:03 (PB)
New York City Marathon
Sunday morning saw the World Marathon Majors Series for 2025 come to a close as over 50,000 runners made the early morning commute to Staten Island and the Start Line of the New York City Marathon. Arguably the toughest of the Major Marathons, with over 800 feet of elevation gain over the 26.2 miles, the route begins with a challenging 135 foot climb up the Verrazano Bridge taking runners from Staten Island into Brooklyn.
Marathon runners visit all 5 boroughs of New York on race day, and once in Brooklyn they keep heading north until they run a couple of miles through Queens. Mile 15 is another one of significant elevation, crossing the Queenboro Bridge to leave Queens and enter Manhattan for the first time. From here again it is due north up First Avenue before leaving Manhattan for a short time to cover a couple of miles in the Bronx.
The route then re-enters Manhattan at the top of Fifth Avenue, with more climbing in store as runners make their way south towards Central Park. The large crowds cheer the participants on as they run the entire length of the park before the iconic finish after they turn into the south entrance to the park.
Conditions were sunny with clear skies and a light breeze, and temperatures relatively cool. Ryan Kennedy ran well in the conditions, and finish in a great time of 3:19:55.
Frankfurt Marathon
This race is a relatively flat course taking in a loop of Frankfurt city centre before heading south of the river Main, returning to the centre for a final 5k loop before making its way back to the finish line.
The finish line is one of the most atmospheric finishes ever seen at a marathon, the indoor Festhalle filled with up to 7,000 people to welcome the runners home is nothing short of spectacular!
Aaron Steele, who’s no stranger to the marathon distance or an international marathon, made a return to the roads here after a summer hampered by injury. It’s great to have him back on the road again and logging a 3:44:35 for his efforts.
Yorkshire Marathon
Chris Denton made a very welcome return to racing in the Yorkshire Marathon. Chris has been troubled by injuries most of this year, with the EAMS Black Eye Friday Marathon being the last time he pinned on a number in December last year.
The Yorkshire Marathon starts and finishes on the University of York campus, beginning by heading into the York city centre for the first couple of miles, before taking in the surrounding countryside.
Chris had a fantastic run to finish in 98th place overall in a time of 2:49:53 – not a bad return!
Marine Corps Marathon
Last weekend, while some of our men were tackling marathons in Dublin and Frankfurt, Rachael Campbell made her way across the Atlantic for the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington. The Marine Corps Marathon route winds through some of Washington’s most iconic landmarks. Starting in Arlington, runners cross the Potomac River, pass by the Lincoln Memorial, loop around the National Mall and taking in sights such as the Capitol and the Smithsonian museums, before heading back across the river.
The course then finishes uphill, culminating at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery. This is one of the biggest marathons in US and known as the people’s marathon as there is no prize money on offer, and it is also considered a very friendly marathon for first timers.
Rachael had a fantastic run finishing in 4:18:13.
Trafford 10k
Ciarán Ferris joined a field brimming with talent at the Trafford 10k in Greater Manchester last week. The course, starting in Partington, is a one lap course which heads towards Dunham Massey on scenic country roads before returning back towards Partington.
Having run a personal best 31:10 in Knutsford 10k just 4 weeks ago, and pacing 80 mins in Manchester Half Marathon the following week, Ciarán set off at a blistering sub 5 mins per mile pace and was able to dig in to hold on for another personal best today by the slenderest of margins, finishing in 31:09 for 32nd place!
Cross Country Update
Our cross-country ladies have been in action over the past 2 weekends. First up it was the Bobby Rea Cross Country, a league fixture in Billy Neil Country Park. There were five Springwell ladies donning the purple vest and spikes at this one, with Fiona Prue leading the team home in 19th position. Deborah McPhee came home in 55th place, with Pauline Mullan in 73rd. Not far behind was Helena Dornan in 87th place, with Nicole O’Connor having a great cross country debut in 94th place.
Next up, it was the McConnell Shield fixture, hosted by East Antrim Harriers in Sixmilewater Park in Ballyclare. Fiona Prue continued her fine cross country form, yet again leading the club home in 18th position. Pauline Mullan followed Fiona home in 55th place, with strong runs from Gael Butcher (65th), Alison Duncan (67th), Sinead Graham (78th), Karen Campbell (79th), Heather McLaughlin (93rd) and Linda McMichael (95th) making up the team.
Bobby Rea XC
19th Fiona Prue 0:25:34; 55th Deborah McPhee 0:29:54; 73rd Pauline Mullan 0:31:47; 87th Helena Dornan 0:33:06; 94th Nicole O’Connor 0:34:17
McConnell Shield
18th Fiona Prue 0:20:02; 55th Pauline Mullan 0:24:42; 65th Gael Butcher 0:25:46; 67th Alison Duncan 0:26:01; 78th Sinead Graham 0:27:43; 79th Karen Campbell 0:27:49; 93rd Heather McLaughlin 0:32:04; 95th Linda McMichael 0:33:15