SECOND TRAIL SERIES WIN FOR KERRY
The week started off well for the club with Kerry Bamber in top form once again when she won the second race of the East Antrim Harriers popular Trail race Series on Tuesday evening. Ballymena Runners took the opportunity to race close to their home base with the second race in the series held out at Tardree Forest.
The Ballymena club had a great turn out with around 30 members making up the 200 strong entry on what was a sunny warm night in the local forest. The course itself was over a 5k route with some steep climbs incorporated along the way.
Kerry led the ladies race home with a win in 21 mins 10 secs around 30 secs ahead of nearest rival, Larne’s Patricia Blair in 21:49 with Orangegrove athlete Trudy Brown 3rd in 22:41.
First home for the club overall was Matthew Morrow in 8th spot in 18:55, with Alex Brennan also in the top ten in 1oth spot in 19 mins 12 secs.
Overall winners were; Mens; 1st Paul Horan (North Belfast Harriers) – 18:07, 2nd James Trainor (Dub Runners) – 18:14, 3rd Nigel Kelly (Ballydrain Harriers) – 18:29. Ladies: 1st Kerry Bamber (Ballymena Runners) – 21:10, 2nd Patricia Blair (Larne AC) – 21:49, 3rd Trudy Brown (Orangegrove AC) - 22:41.
Full List of Ballymena Runners times and placing as follows;
8, 700, Matthew Morrow, 18:55, 10, Alex Brennan, 19:12, 17,Jack McKenna, 20:12, 27, Pawel Lapinski, 21:02, 29, Kerry Bamber, 21:10, 30, Nigel McClintock, 21:13, 34, Derek Agnew, 21:47, 39, Tom Mills, 21:57, 41, Daire Hasson, 22:13, 42, John Donnelly, 22:13, 44, Colin Hoey, 22:32, 59, Alastair Donaghy, 23:43, 60, James Butler, 23:48, 64, Judith Worthington, 24:02, 86, William Dunseath, 25:23, 91, Susanna Allen, 25:37, 93, John Neeson, 25:50, 96, Helen McCormack, 26:02, 119, Noleen Ervine, 27:10, 125, Shelley Tomlins, 27:20, 134, Lynne McFetridge, 28:06, 137, Danny Jamieson, 28:17.5, 143, Robin Alexander, 28:37, 149, Emma Donnelly, 29:04, 159, Beverly Kidd, 29:52, 160, Adrian Dodds, 29:59, 162, Helen Beattie, 30:39, 164, Paula Lorimer, 30:55, 174, S McFall, 32:20, 176, Hannah Soar, 32:34, 182, Lilian Quigley, 34:36.
Mayfair 10K Road race
On Saturday the action switched back to the roads withBallyclare based club County Antrim Harriers hosting the second annual running of their much anticipated Mayfair 10k road race.
There were a record number of athletes competing win almost 300 finishers in the main 10K event and another 150 running in the supporting 5K event.
Ballymena Runners had seven members competing led home by Jim Moore, 22nd, 38:59, Rick Hill, 27th, 40:23, Nigel McClintock, 31st, 41:32, Mark Kelly, 69th, 46:15, David Nicholson, 72nd, 46:45, Roy White, 137th, 51:39, and Adrian Dodds, 196th, 56:30.
Overall winners were, Men: 1st Dan Tanui (Project Africa Athletics) – 30:30, 2nd Eric Koech (Project Africa Athletics) – 31:21, 3rd James Trainor (Dub Runners) – 35:30, Ladies: 1st Heather Foley (Unattached) – 36:51, 2nd Jodi Smith (North Down AC) – 38:57, 3rd Debbie Matchett (Ballydrain Harriers) – 39:37
Donard Race - Hill and Dale Series
Also on Saturday the popular Hill and dale race serried moved off it’s usual Thursday night slot to be held on Saturday with the famous Donard Hill race now in it’s 71st year.
The Donard race was race number 7 of the series and saw another great turn out with over 200 competitors which sees the runners climb to the top of Slieve Donard before turning and heading down the fast descent back to the finish line. The race distance is approximate 5.5 miles with 2,800 feet of climbing.
Alex Brennan was the first home well up the field finishing in 11th spot overall in 63 mins 17 secs. Paula McAllister also impressed when she won her age category and was 9th lady overall.
Ballymena Runners Times as listed;
11, Alex Brennan, 01:03:17, 17, Connor Reid, 01:06:23, 31, Jonathan McCloy, , 1:08:33, 53, Mark Alexander, 01:14:02, 115, Paula McAllister, 01:26:28, 171, Alastair Donaghy, 01:43:45, 175, Ruth Aiken, 01:45:38, 198, Kathryn Grant, 02:00:39