Jude Gallagher Round the Bridges 10 mile race

Many years ago the country/rock band the Eagles sang the song ‘One of those nights’. Well it certainly turned out to be one of those nights in Limavady on Thursday 25 June for the annual Jude Gallagher Memorial ‘Round the Bridges’ 10 mile Road Race. On a balmy summer evening 220 runners took to the roads around Limavady to challenge themselves over what is a fairly flat, accurate and fast course. It was nice to have the newly elected mayor, Cathal O’Hoisin, to mingle with the runners and help to start the race at 7:15pm. The mayor also returned to present the prizes. 

First runner across the line in a super time of 55:50 was Declan Reed from our neighbouring club City of Derry. Second was Damian McGinty also from City of Derry  in a time of 57:06 and third runner home was Martin Rea from North Belfast in a time of 57:37. The first lady to finish and 8th overall was Maria McCambridge from Letterkenny in a great time of 60:03. Second lady was Breege Connolly from North Belfast in a time of 64: 27 and third lady was North Belfast’s Lisa Tracey in a time of 66:02. The organising Springwell clubs Gillian Wasson was just outside the ladies prizes in the open category finishing fourth in a time of 69:13. She was to be consoled when she was part of the Springwell ladies team of Catherine Henry 69:45, Fran McFadden 71:39 and Karen McLaughlin 75:50 who won the ladies team prize. The men’s team prize was won by City of Derry with Declan Reed, Damian McGinty, Gerry Duddy and Dara Furey. 

The category prize winners were as follows:FO35 - Janice White, Fitness First Ballymena, FO40 - Brenda Magee, Unattached, FO45 - Fionnuala McCourt, Lagan Valley, FO50 - Mary Mackin, Dromore, FO60 - Bridgit Quinn, Ballymena Runners.MO40 - James Turtle, Ballymena Runners, MO45 - Gerry Duddy, City of Derry, MO50 - Greg McClure, North Belfast, MO55 - Ray Curran, Ballymena Runners, MO60 - Irwin Spiers, Sperrin Harriers, MO65 - Christy McMonagle, City of Derry. 

First home for Springwell was the inform Philip Mullan 63:02 followed by Dave Sexton 64:23, Harry Reilly 64:45, Jim Breen 64:48, Colin Loughery 66:07, David Jackson 66:18, Johnny Wilson 68:02, Rodney McDaid 68:26, Tommy Bradley 68:32, James McMullan 68:55, Johnny Goldie 69:26, Gerard Mullan 69:40, Hugh Deighan 72:09, George Henderson 72:27, Robert Workman 75:22, David Carton 75:56, Jim Platt 76:32, Richard Nolan 78:57, Catherine Butcher 79:01, David Gault 79:42, Paul Doran 79:48, Ella Loughery 83:12, Chris Capper 84:57, Brendan McLaughlin 89:18 and Richard Bown 94:54. 

Springwell had 29 runners taking part in the race as well as a myriad of helpers. A special thanks to all those club members who did registration, marshalled the course and helped at the finish line. Also to friends and family, Linda, Carmel, Betty, Susan and Chris for their help. To Springwell junior members and their parents who helped at the water stations, a big thank you. Thanks to PSNI for excellent cover, British Red Cross for their presence which thankfully was not required Limavady Recreation club for the use of their premises and facilities and Cream for their catering of the event. 

This race still remains popular with the running fraternity. Next years race is planned for Thursday 24 June 2010. Put it in your calendar.

For a pdf of results, Click here. 

Northern & Ulster Age Group Championships

Springwell Juniors had a very successful weekend at the Northern Ireland & Ulster Age Group Championships at the Antrim Forum. The Juniors won three medals, Connor Christie got gold in the Boy’s U14 1500m, Christina Corbett silver in the Girls U17 800m, Holly Clark bronze in the Girls U16 100m and quite a few of the young athletes ran PB’s. This was the highlight of their season and what they have been building up to over the last few months. After some excellent performances at their schools athletics this was their chance to compete against the best young athletes in Ulster.

First off on Saturday morning was Beth Montgomery in the Girls U15 800m. Beth ran a steady race finishing in 3.20.7 and will have benefited from her first taste of championship racing.

Ryan Ennis went in the Boy’s U15 800m. Ryan ran well in his heat and was in second place at the start of the second lap but tired coming down the home straight to finish in 4th place in a PB time of 2.24.1. The 800m was run as a time trail and Ryan finished 7th overall a good result as he has only stepped up to the 800m recently.

Sally Brown was running in the U15 Girls 200m. I her heat Sally was drawn in lane 7 she ran a good race finishing 5th in 28.98 to qualify for the final. In the final she was drawn in the outside lane. Not knowing what was going on behind her Sally ran a strong bend but tired coming up the home straight to finish 6th in 29.09

Conor Christie and Brian Tweedie lined up for the Boy’s U14 1500m. Straight from the gun Conor took the lead and pulled away from the field putting on an excellent display of front running to win gold in a PB time of 4.43.4. Brian ran a steady race to come home in a PB time of 5.40.1.

Robbie Craig was Springwell’s sole representative in the Boy’s U15 1500m. Robbie ran a steady race finishing strongly in a PB time of 5.13.16.

The U16 and U17 competed on Sunday. First off was Christina Corbett in the Girls U17 800m. Christina ran a sensible race and upped the pace going down the back straight but Sarah Lavery proved to strong on the home straight and Christina had to settle for the silver medal in a PB time of 2:29:85.

Holly Clark was going in the Girls U16 100m and 200m. She had to run heats in both events finishing second both heats in 28.2 for the 200m and 13.46 in the 100m to qualify for the finals. Her first final was the 100m, Holly blasted out of the blocks and down the 100m holding off a challenge to finish in the bronze medal position in 13.56. Half an hour later Holly lined up for 200m final. She got a slow start and never recovered finishing in 6th position in 28.91.

Well done to all the young athletes you have worked hard over the last few months and the results over the week end show what has been achieved.

 

Randalstown Centra 10K Road Race

The 2009 Randalstown Centra 10K Road Race on Sunday 21 June attracted a strong field of 155 runners from all over Northern Ireland. The race was organised by the local running club as the opening event in the Randalstown Arches Community Festival.

Paul Rowan of Willowfield led the field home in a time of 31:46 and Louise Smith of North Belfast was the first female with a time of 38:04

Conor McKeown was first Springwell runner home in 41:25 followed by Thomas Moore 42:33 and Catherine Butcher 47:48.

 

 

KK McArthur Half Marathon

This years Kennedy Kane McArthur half marathon and 10K will be held on saturday 18th July in conjunction with Springwell Running Club. For more details on the race, including route map, click here. For entry form, click here.