Sonia claims the win at Purple Ladies 5k event

The ladies only event attracted a record number of athletes, who enjoyed the atmosphere and also the shopping, with several running and health related stalls located within the start and finish area at the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre.

In dull but pleasant conditions, the athletes set off on the 3.1m course; it was the host club’s runners who dominated at the head of the pack.  

Springwell Running Club ladies Sonia Knox, Alexandra Kirk, Alison Rankin, Molly Brennan, Linda Gillen were all amongst the leading ladies, alongside Sperrin Harriers’ Lorna Sibbett and Anna Boyle (Ballymena & Antrim AC).  As the race progressed, Sonia Knox began to move clear of up and coming star Alexandra Kirk, who in turn, was looking a little stronger than teammate Alison Rankin.  In the end, it was Sonia Knox who claimed victory; breaking the tape in a new course record of 18:41. Alexandra Kirk and Alison Rankin followed in 19:20 (2nd place) and 19:33 (3rd place) respectively, before Lorna Sibbett, secured 4th place in 20:40.  Molly Brennan completed the top five finishers when she crossed the line in 21:00 (5th place).

Springwell Times: Linda Gillen 21:36, Catherine Bell-Allen 22:34, Andrea Procter 22:39, Gillian Jones 22:45, Catherine Pinkerton-Moore 23:09, Lindsay Holden 23:35, Rebecca Conlon-Elwood 23:50, Rozzy Skuce 24:13, Rosie Crennell 24:18, Donna Brolly 24:51, Sarah Chestnutt 24:55, Vanda McClure 25:06, Bronagh Kearns 25:26, Mary O’Kane 25:34, Margaret Edgar 25:36, Heather Coulter 25:56, Donna Young 25:58, Sharon Bingham 26:08, Sharon Brown 26:23, Beverly Gordon 26:24, Claire Shields 26:26, Melanie Millar 26:57, Collette Poland 27:06, Brigene Dunlop 27:20, Amanda Simpson 27:32, Louise Feeney 27:40, Donna Mullaghan 27:41, Catherine Byers 27:57, Christine McKee 27:57, Michelle Rodgers 27:57, Jennifer Parkhill 28:05, Catherine Coils 28:06, Sandra Rosborough 28:17, Roberta French 28:31, Valerie Coils 28:35, Tracy Mitchell 28:40, Denise Walker 28:57, Andrea Ramsey 29:34, Shirley Jackson 29:41, Aimee McFeely 29:59, Fran McFadden 30:00, Noelle Watterson 30:13, Jackie McNeill 30:17, Nicki Higgins 30:32, Judith Smyth 31:11, Stacey McKay 31:41, Marlene King 32:14, Julie Virtue 33:05, Karen McMullan 33:42, Nichelle Atchison 33:46, Paula Taggart 36:13, Lynda McHenry 37:16, Sharon Dixon 39:45 and Tracy Hanna 41:57.

Springwell Running Club would like to thank the race sponsors GES Group and Flash in the Pan (Bushmills) for their support. Thanks to the PSNI, Ambutran, volunteers and the staff of the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre for their assistance on the night.