KK McArthur Festival

The Half Marathon was won by Brian Campbell (Willowfield Harriers) in 1:14:29. Barrie Atkinson (East Down AC) continued his impressive form in the Series so far, taking the runners up prize in 1:16:07.  Local athlete Stephen Joyce (Springwell RC) was a popular podium finisher, after crossing the line third in 1:18:55.

North Belfast Harriers lady Cathy McCourt making her debut at the half marathon distance led from gun to tape to win in 1:25:13.  The ever consistent Janice White (Forge Harriers) secured second place in 1:30:45, while unattached athlete Anne Fitzpatrick (1:31:19) recorded her second quickest time of the Series to take third place.

The 10K was won in a new course record by North Belfast Harriers Adam Boyd (34:16). Adam finish just over one minute ahead of Armagh AC’s Gary Henderson who clocked 35:19 and Neil Johnston (Springwell RC) ensured that the host club were represented on the podium when he completed the scenic course in 35:38.  Larne AC’s leading lady, Geraldine Quigley sealed her second win in as many days, after winning the ladies race.  Geraldine won the Dalriada 5K on Friday evening and showed little or no signs of fatigue as she cruised to victory in 43:53.) Springwell’s Lesley Doyle finished second in 46:42 (2nd place), with team mate Caroline Irwin completing the top three in 49:20.

Results

Half Marathon

Male - 1st Brian Campbell (Willowfield) 1:14:29; 2nd Barrie Atkinson (East Down AC) 1:16:07; 3rd Stephen Joyce (Springwell RC) 1:18:55. M35 Glenn Millar (Springwell RC) 1:26:33 (PB); M40 Michael Fitzpatrick (North Belfast) 1:21:31; M45 Derek Somerville (Omagh Harriers) 1:24:27; M50 Nigel Grier Dromore AC 1:23:13; M55 Norman Mawhinney (Ballydrain Harriers) 1:25:43; M60 Hugh Boyle (Springwell RC) 1:28:50; M65 Brendan McLaughlin (Springwell RC) 2:15:38.

Female - 1st Cathy McCourt 1:25:13; 2nd Janice White (Forge Harriers) 1:30:45; 3rd Anne Fitzpatrick (Unattached) 1:31:19. F35 Leann Gibson (Orangegrove AC) 1:31:36; F40 Diane Watson (City of Lisburn AC) 1:35:30 F45 Joanne Curran (BARF) 1:43:32; F50 Ita McCambridge (North Belfast) 1:42:49; F55 Mary Mackin (Dromore AC) 1:43:19.

Local Winners – Male Paul Thompson (Springwell RC) 1:25:27

Melvin Irvine Memorial Trophy

A new perpetual trophy for the 2014 race was put up by the organising committee and Raynet in memory of Melvin Irvine (Raynet Operator) who passed away suddenly a couple of days after his 59th birthday. For a number of years Melvin was a member of the Raynet team who provided an important service at the Festival. Due to the poor mobile reception in the village they are in constant contact with the first aid provider and keep Race HQ informed on the status of the races. To mark Melvin’s contribution to the Festival it was decided to award the trophy to the 59th finisher in the Half Marathon.

Adrrian Ferson of Magherafelt Harriers was the first winner of the trophy finishing 59th in a time of 1:38:20.

10K

Male - 1st Adam Boyd (North Belfast) 34:16; 2nd Gary Henderson (Armagh AC) 35:19; 3rd Neil Johnston (Springwell RC) 35:38. M35 Kieran O’Neill (Springwell RC) 38:15; M40 Frances Tumelty (East Down AC) 38:08; M45 Matt Wray (Ballymena & Antrim) 37:41; M50 Robert Wilson (Willowfield) 40:22; M55 Noel Adair (Unattached) 46:17; M60 Tommy Harraghy (Unattached) 41:56; M65 David Nicholson (Ballymena Runners) 47:07.

Female - 1st Geraldine Quigley (Larne AC) 43:53; 2nd Lesley Doyle (Springwell RC) 46:42; 3rd Caroline Irwin (Springwell RC) 49:20; F35 Allison Irwin (Unattached) 56:14; F40 Jayne Liddle (Larne AC) 52:53; F45 Denise Walker (Springwell RC) 1:02:54; F50 Kathleen Alcorn (Unattached) 50:19; F55 Roberta French Springwell RC 58:43.

Local Winners - Female, Caroline Irwin Springwell RC 49:20. Male, David McAfee (Springwell RC) 41:09 (PB).

Springwell Times

Half Marathon – Stephen Joyce 1:18:55, Paul Thompson 1:25:27, Glenn Millar 1:26:33, Hugh Boyle 1:28:50, Dave Sexton 1:33:50, Steven Magill 1:34:03, Gary Moore 1:35:38, Karen McLaughlin 1:35:47, Fran McFadden 1:38:48, Pamela McGlade 1:42:19, Nicola Frizzle 1:42:24, Simon Moore 1:42:56 (PB), John Butcher 1:43:27 (PB), Nigel McNeill 1:44:11 (PB), Leslie Ashe 1:47:40, Alan McKeeman 1:47:45, Catherine Pinkerton-Moore 1:49:57, Althea Clarkson 1:53:29, Lynda-Jayne Parkhill 1:58:29, Betty Deighan 1:58:44, Emma Jamison 2:03:22, Sharon Brown 2:13:22, Claire Shields 2:14:17 (PB), Margaret Edgar 2:14:27, Stephen Smyth 2:14:46, Brendan McLaughlin 2:15:38, Amanda Simpson 2:17:28 and Ursula Harper 2:19:15.

10K- Neil Johnston 35:38, Kieran O’Neill 38:15, Christopher Millar 39:25, Ross Armstrong 40:52, David McAfee 41:09 (PB), Stephen Fillis 41:39, Andrew Dowey 42:12, David Irwin 42:13, Lesley Doyle 46:42, Robert Workman 48:01, Caroline Irwin 49:20, Bob McLaughlin 51:32, Roberta French 58:43, Lesley Irwin 58:45, Melanie Millar 59:14 (PB),Louise Feeney 1:02:15, Denise Walker 1:02:54, Donna Mulligan 1:03:49, Linda Sayers 1:06:12, Danny McHenry 1:06:39 and Judith Smyth 1:08:35.

Johnny Goldie was Springwell’s sole representative at the Energia 24 Hour Race at the Mary Peters Track. Starting on Friday evening Johnny completed 330 laps of the track (82.073 miles).

Upwards on two hundred runners took part in the second running of the North Coast 10K/5K in Portrush on Wednesday evening. The multi-terrain race was organised to raise funds to support the work of the Sports Academy George in South Africa.

The 10K was won by Keith Dawson in 36:40 with Springwell’s Bryan Edgar second in 37:41 and Simon Reeve (North Belfast) third in 38:15.

The ladies race was won by City of Derry’s Ann Paul in 40:53 with Springwell’s Gemma Turley second in 41:15 and team mate Nicola Frizelle third in 43:42.

Springwell Times - Alex Curran 43:29, David Geddis 45:02, Conor McStravick 46:02, Michael Rankin 50:48 and Ally Kelly 55:02.

The 5K race was won by Springwell’s Chris Denton in 18:50 closely followed by team mate Glenn Millar in 19:03 and David Stewart third in 19:55.

Springwell ladies dominated the ladies race with Sonia Knox leading them home in 19:59, Alison Rankin second in 21:19, last year’s winner Andrea Procter third in 24:38 and Gillian Jones fourth in 24:52.

Springwell Times - Andrew Dowey 20:35, Robert Simpson 20:51, Graeme Morrison 22:19, Sharon Bingham 27:33,

A low tide, calm breeze, clear blue skies and sunshine welcomed the record 206 runners who turned up for Portrush parkrun’s centenary run this morning. A large turnout was expected and we were not disappointed. The runners had the privilege of another beach start and finish, there were 36 first timers, 53 achieved PB’s and 22 different athletics clubs were represented.

Foyle Valley’s Scott Rankin on his first appearance at Portrush was first to finish in 16:36, breaking the course record set by Rhodri Jones on 15 February, by 41 seconds. Springwell’s Sonia Knox was first lady home (the 17th time in 30 appearances) in 20:11. 

Frances Smyth completed her 100th parkrun, Philip Irwin and Colin McDowell both completed their 50th and junior parkrunner Graham Kennedy completed his 10th on Saturday.

Before the run Chris Denton was presented with his 50 T-shirt.

Springwell Times - Colin Loughery 19:31, Sonia Knox 20:11, Robert Simpson 20:16, Gemma Turley 20:18, Dave Holden 21:00, Graeme Morrison 21:10, Mervyn Thompson 22:37, Gary Kendall  23:22, Andy Deal 24:28, Lindsay Holden 25:39, Bronagh Kearns 27:13, Sharon Bingham 27:49, Patrick Irwin 28:14, Benjamin Logan 28:16, Johnny Strang 28:39, Connor Kendall 29:23, Kay Hack 29:29, Lyn Montgomery 30:36, Bernie Drain 30:47, Molly Blee 31:52, Jillian McLaughlin 36:22, Chris Denton (with Luke) 42:01, Graeme Montgomery 51:42.

Alistair Shaw was fourth runner home at the Antrim parkrun in 19:33.