Busy Christmas and New Year for Springwell

With the tide on the way in there was plenty of firm sand for the runners but the blustery conditions made it difficult for the runners. Springwell’s Chris Denton was the first runner home in 19:08 and Gemma Turley first lady in 21:26.

Springwell Times - Bryan Edgar 19:38, Andrew Dowey 21:21, Johnny Goldie 21:58, Mervyn Thompson 22:28, Hugh Deighan 22:50, Robert Workman 23:20, Gary Watton 23:59, Abigail McBroom 24:35, Rosiland Overend 25:27, Ailbhe Kendall 26:19, Ellie McBroom 26:29, Sarah Chestnutt 27:12, Darran Alexander 28:26, Margaret Edgar 29:04, Lisa Boyle 30:09, Conor Kendall 30:22, Kay Hack 30:31, Janet McClelland 34:36, Nicki Higgins 36:05, Ursula Harper 38:27, Diane Hutchinson 38:31 and the Smyth family (Stephen, Victoria, Abi & Hannah) 46:50.

Alistair Shaw finished 3rd at Queen’s Parkrun in 19:23.

Ballymena Runners ‘Race over the Glens’ attracted a record entry on New Year’s Day. The 5.5 mile race in the scenic Glenariff Forest Park took place in blustery and unpredictable conditions. Heavy hailstones fell as local man Jonny Steede crossed the line to win in 36:25 with American visitor Penny McPhail taking the ladies prize in 43:30

Springwell’s Chris Denton finished 10th in 39:51 followed by David Jackson 43:29, Chris Millar 43:34, Ross Armstrong 44:19, Jean-Claude Bourgeois 49:38, Brian Scullion 50:19, Graeme Morrison 51:39 and Scott Bell 52:24.

Twenty-four runners put their toe on the line for the first Parkrun of 2013 on New Year’s Day. The tide was still on its way out leaving underfoot conditions soft. They set off from the Watersports Centre in the sunshine with the wind on their back but when they turned for home at the White Rocks the wind picked up and they were blasted with rain, hail and sand on the homeward journey.

Springwell’s Bryan Edgar (20:50) led the runners home with Catherine Sara Bell-Allen was the first lady home in 28:15.

Springwell Times - Johnny Goldie 22:26, Tommy Bradley 23:45, Mervyn Thompson 24:01, Gary Watton 25:08, Lynn Montgomery 29:15, Margaret Edgar 31:41, Debbie Tutty 32:48, Johnny Strang 35:02, Beverly Gordon 35:06, and Kenny Bacon 36:34. Alistair Shaw finished sixth at Waterworks Parkrun.

Springwell’s Alison Rankin and Laura Hassan were among the four hundred runners who participated in the final race of 2012, the Lough 5 Mile Road Race in County Tyrone on Monday 31 December.

Eddie McGinley (Annadale Striders) led the field home in 25:14 with St Peters AC’s Patricia O’Hagan first lady in 30:47. Alison was first FO40 in 33:43 and Laura crossed the line in 36:53.

On Saturday 29 December, Newcastle AC hosted the 29th running of the annual Castlewellan Christmas Cracker (previously known as the Comber Christmas Cracker).
In cold, blustery conditions a total of 315 teams started the race, proving just how popular the festive event has become. This could partly be accredited to the good organising and post-race refreshments, as well as the fun aspect of having to finish the 10 mile (approximate distance) race with your chosen partner.

As expected, last year’s winners Brendan Teer & Liam Venney, of East Down AC successfully defended their title crossing the line in an excellent 59:38. Catriona McCorkell and Julie Murphy (Lagan Valley AC) -1:16:42 won the Ladies Team and Martin Rea & Gladys Ganiel O’Neill (North Belfast Harriers) - 1:04:10 the Mixed Team prizes.

Springwell Results - Gillian Wasson & Mark Alexander (Ballymena Runners) 71:53, Gary Kendal & Jack O’Hare (Newcastle AC) 81:58, Catherine Henry & Gerry O’Doherty 85:31 and Betty Deighan & Kay Hack 101:47.

On Saturday 29 December fifty-seven runners lined up for the last Portrush Parkrun of 2012. The tide was still on its way out so the underfoot conditions were soft. Springwell’s Rhodri Jones, returning after injury, led the runner’s home in 20:13 with Gemma Turley first lady in 22:04.

Springwell Times - Bryan Edgar 20:43, Alistair Shaw 21:21, Ross Armstrong 21:59, Gemma Turley 22:04, Jim Breen 22:09, Johnny Goldie 22:44, Robert Workman 23:17 (PB), Nigel Armstrong 23:26, Mervyn Thompson 23:34, Karen McLaughlin 23:45, Gary Watton 24:28, Ryan Murray 25:21, Patrick Higgins 27:03, Lynn Montgomery 25:54, Margaret Edgar 30:33, Lisa Boyle 30:40, Angela Calderwood 32:58, Amanda Simpson 32:53, Emily McLaughlin 34:03, Kenny Bacon 34:16 (PB), Nicki Higgins 34:30 and Fiona Walls 34:49

Nearly eight hundred runners took part in the 27th running of the ‘Greencastle 5’ Road Race on Boxing Day. The annual event started in 1986 and attracted only 80 runners in its first year showing how much of a festive tradition this race has now become.
In wintery conditions, Stephen Scullion (Clonliffe Harriers) completed the 5 mile course in 24:57. The ladies race was won by Maria McCambridge (Letterkenny AC) successfully defending her title in a new course record of 28:18.

Springwell’s Jim Breen ran 33:33 and Alistair Bratten 35:37.

Sixty-two Santas braved the elements for the very first Portrush Santa Parkrun on Saturday 22 December. Low tide left plenty of firm sand for the Santa’s to run on but the wind and rain was relentless on the way out to the White Rocks. The return journey was much easier assisted by the tail wind. Springwell’s Chris Denton 19:12 was first runner home and Sonia Knox first lady in 22:49.

Springwell Times - Ryan Murray 21:46 (PB), Jean-Claude Bourgeois 22:57, Nigel Armstrong 23:06, Patrick Higgins 23:15, Bernadette O’Kane 23:16, Mervyn Thompson 23:17, Gary Watton 23:57, Andy Deal 25:58, Robert Workman 24:36, Karen McLaughlin 24:39, Johnny Goldie 25:51, Betty Deighan 27:06, Gillian Wasson 27:08, Alison McAllister 27:25, Sarah Chestnutt 27:36, Patricia Craig 29:15, Hermione Skuce 29:37, Lauren O’Doherty 31:30, Alison Rankin 32:12, Gerry O’Doherty 32:55, Margaret Edgar 33:07, Angela Calderwood 33:50, Beverly Gordon 34:15, Fiona Walls 34:49, Kenny Bacon 34:55 (PB), Lisa Boyle 35:56, Holly Woodhead 36:36, Rebekah Hunter 37:23, Alistair Bratten 37:23, Emily McLaughlin 38:56 and Nicola Farrell 38:56.

On a day like this the Parkrunners were grateful to Armstrong Medical for funding the use of the Watersports Centre for shelter before and after the run. Tommy Bradley ran the ECOS Parkrun in 21:07