Race Report - 22nd February 2026
Races are starting to return to the calendar now after what has been a relatively slow start to the year. Some of our runners were putting in big miles over the winter months in preparation for the Malta Marathon and Half Marathon. Closer to home, a trio of our hill and trail runners took on the challenge of the Rabbit Run in Ballypatrick Forest, a Limavady contingent took the short trip to Thornhill College for Derry Cross Country, and Christine Bonham and Denise McManus travelled to Lifford for Strabane Triathlon Club’s 5k.
Malta Marathon
The medieval walled city of Mdina, the original capital of Malta, provided a stunning backdrop for the start of the 41st Malta Marathon on 22 February 2026. An early wake-up call saw our intrepid quartet—Rodney and Deborah McPhee, Adrian Finlay, and Helena Dornan—up and preparing from 4:00 a.m., fuelling up before boarding their bus from Sliema to begin their latest adventure.
The 6:45 a.m. start was informal yet enthusiastic, with a breath-taking sunrise sending the field on their way. The first three downhill miles circled Rabat clockwise, allowing runners to settle into their rhythm and prepare for the miles ahead.
The undulating course through Ta’ Qali and Birkirkara, with its series of loops and switchbacks, carried the runners to the 15-mile mark before turning towards Valletta and descending to the coast. As the sun climbed higher, so did the temperature, and every patch of shade was gratefully sought.
The Half Marathon began in Mdina an hour after the full marathon, with Reggie and Sonya Colville, and Ashley McPhee toeing the line. Its route bypassed the lap of Rabat and several of the Ta’ Qali switchbacks before merging with the marathon field. Frequent, well-staffed water and feed stations kept runners hydrated as they made their way towards Valletta and the coast, where they turned north along the seafront for the final three miles to the finish in Sliema.
Tired, aching legs were buoyed by enthusiastic crowds lining the promenade, cheering the runners all the way to the finish.!
Thanks to our roving reporter David McGaffin for the report and photos!
Marathon
514th Adrian Finlay 3:46:33; 615th Deborah McPhee 3:55:11; 616th Rodney McPhee 3:55:11; 751st Helena Dornan 4:05:15
Half Marathon
1193rd Reggie Colville 1:45:31; 3269th Ashley McPhee 2:26:34; 3270th Sonya Colville 2:26:34
We Run Wild - Rabbit Run
The previously cancelled Rabbit Run organised by We Run Wild NI was re-scheduled for 21st February 26. On a mild but blustery Saturday morning runners gathered in Ballypatrick Forest in North Antrim.
The air was filled with a mix of excitement, anticipation... and some race regret as Bernard Mullan turned up to find out Jonny Rowntree had actually opted for the 10k instead of the half marathon distance. Too late to change, Bernard would have to get it done!
We had 3 Springwell runners in attendance:
Nicky Frizelle had a great race in the half to finish first lady and 16th overall in 1:48:06. Bernard Mullan put in a great shift to finish under the 2 hour mark on 1:56:28 for 25th overall. Jonny Rowntree ran an impressive time of 50:21 to finish 9th overall in the 10k race.
Strabane Triathlon Club 5k
Strabane Triathlon Club hosted their annual 5k race in Lifford on Sunday morning, on what was their 3rd running of the event.
Good numbers turned out for the event, on a morning that was slightly milder that recent weeks! Christine Bonham and Denise McManus were among the runners, with Christine having a great run to finish with a time of 0:27:20 and Denise finishing 2nd in her age category in 0:36:08!
Derry Cross Country
City of Derry Spartans hosted the final fixture of the cross country league on Saturday past on the grounds of Thornhill College, rescheduled from its usual place on the calendar at the beginning of December.
Some of our Limavady members took the short trip to Thornhill for the race, with Stephen McLaughlin and Fiona Prue both picking up wins in their age categories.
18th Christopher McNickle 0:23:48; 30th Stephen McLaughlin 0:24:46 1st M35; 44th Jack McKibbin 0:26:47; 55th Fiona Prue 0:27:53 1st F55; 69th Brian Moore 0:29:29; 88th Peter Jack 0:32:18;95th Alison Duncan 0:33:54; 101st Sinead Graham 0:36:53
