Weekly Race Report - 14th September 2025
After a busy weekend of half marathons to begin Autumn, it was mostly smaller numbers in attendance at some of the 5km and 10km races around the country this past weekend. However, there was a small group of our mountain runners who travelled to take on the strength and endurance challenge that is the Ben Nevis Race. Gary Moore and Catherine Pinkerton decided to escape the wind and rain to take in the San Miguel Fair Race in Torremolinos, while it was top of the podium for Fiona Prue at the Rock the Lough 10k.
Next weekend it’s the Belfast Half Marathon that will no doubt have good Springwell representation, while closer to home is the Causeway Coast Marathon. The Cross Country league also gets underway in Armagh.
Ben Nevis Race
One of the most iconic and legendary mountain running races in the world - the Ben Nevis Race. A gruelling 10mile out-and-back route that climbs roughly 1,340 metres to the summit of the UK’s tallest mountain and back down.
Five Springwell members made the trip to Fort William with four racing. James Hughes unfortunately had to withdraw but was on course to provide much needed support. From the instant the runners leave the grassy playing field of the start & finish area, the climb to the summit is relentless.
The battle to the top was fierce between the three Springwell ladies. Sarah Milligan summitted first, with Carolyn Crawford hot on her heels and Adele Tomb not far behind. Then it was the long technical descent - scree, boulders and technical terrain a plenty. This is where Carolyn got into her stride, and with a strong descent saw her first home for the club in 3:11:36 finishing 368th.
It was a very close battle between Adele and Sarah, with Adele digging deep in the final km home to finish 389th in 3:22:37 and Sarah just a minute later in 391st in 3:23:35. Ronnie Turner took the spoils of the day. This was his 19th Ben Nevis Race - two more Ben's would see him presented with the prestigious Connochie Plaque. Ronnie finished 415th in 3:52:20.
Rock the Lough 2025
St Peters AC hosted the Rock the Lough races on Sunday, with 5km, 10km and Half Marathon races distances to choose from. All race distances started and finished at South Lake Leisure Centre and the 5km and 10km consisted of 1 and 2 laps of the Craigavon Lakes respectively, while the half marathon also incorporated the link roads to Oxford Island as well as the lakes.
Among the 600 participants, Springwell had representation in each of the races, with Aidan Mooney competing in the 5km race and finishing in a time of 0:31:00. George Mimnagh had a fantastic run to finish in 1:42:20 in the half marathon. Meanwhile, in the 10km race Fiona Prue put in a great performance to finish 1st female, almost two minutes clear of the 2nd female.
5k
91st Aidan Mooney 0:31:00
10k
12th Fiona Prue 0:41:29 (1st Female)
Half Marathon
61st George Mimnagh 1:42:20
Eamon Harvey Donegal Town 10km
Janet Patrick and Pauline Mullan made the trip to Donegal Town on Sunday morning for the Eamon Harvey Donegal Town 10km race, hosted by Tir Chonail AC. The first few kilometres of the race are around the picturesque streets of Donegal Town before runners take in the scenery of the surrounding countryside.
Pauline was first back to base of the two ladies, in a time of 0:49:17 (158th), while Janet finished with a great time of 0:55:01 (270th).
Abi’s Butterfly Breeze 10km
Elizabeth Deighan braved both a lengthy car journey and inclement weather on Sunday morning to compete in her first race in nearly two and a half years! Elizabeth was in Portaferry for Abi’s Butterfly Breeze 10km race, with the wind and rain making it feel a bit wintry compared to the weather we were having a couple of weeks ago.
Starting and finishing at Portaferry GAC, the race route took in the country roads on the outskirts of the town. Elizabeth rolled up the sleeves and battled through the wind and rain to finish in a great time of 0:59:38 for 39th place. A great return to racing!
San Miguel Fair Race
While everyone in the Northwest was battling through the wind and rain on their runs over the weekend, Gary Moore and Catherine Pinkerton were in Torremolinos in Southern Spain enjoying the sun. While there, why not enter a race to make the afternoon refreshments guilt free? Luckily for them there was the San Miguel Fair Race on Sunday morning just for that!
This is an 8.3km race, starting and finishing at the athletics track in the Torremolinos City Stadium, the race then takes participants through the hilly streets of Torremolinos.
Catherine finished with a great time of 0:39:14, while Gary finished in 0:46:31.
Citi 5k
Mark Gardiner and Julie Corbett were Springwell’s representatives at the Citi 5k in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter last Friday evening. Starting and finishing on the streets just behind the Citi offices, the route makes use of the flat roads of Queen’s Island for this fast race.
There were over 500 finishers in this race. Mark had a great running, finishing in 9th place with a time of 0:17:41. Julie finished in a super time of 0:27:59 for 231st position.
