Ballymena Runners were out in force at the weekend for the Larne 10 Mile Race.
Some of the BRAC squad at Larne
The race started where the Promenade meets the Coast Road. It is an ‘out and back’ route heading out the Coast Road through the Black Arch on through Drains Bay, then past Carnfunnock Country Park, around Ballygally Head and through Ballygally out to the Halfway House Hotel (owned by the former World Flyweight Champion Dave Boy McAuley). The runners then turn in the hotel carpark and returning back along the Coast Road turning down the Promenade to Finish just before the Larne Leisure Centre.
Although a bright and sunny day, it was cold, and the runners faced a stiff headwind on the return to Larne.
James Hamilton came second overall in a fantastic time of 0:54:15!
James
This was followed by a ‘sprint finish’ for 11th place with Ben Morrow finishing in 0:58:32, just ahead of Jason Wilson 0:58:34.
Ben
Noel Connor continues to perform well on the roads with an impressive finish in the Male over 60 category in a time of 1:02:40.
Noel
Next to finish for the club was Sharon Leetch, who smashed the club 10-mile record finishing in 1:03:46. The club record was previously held by Catherine McQuillan who finished the ‘Round the Bridges’ race in Limavady in 2016 in 1:07:56.
Sharon and James
Medal winners at Larne
Other club finishing times: John Robinson (1:04:10), James McCann (1:06:23), Timothy Bamber (1:07:51), Ian McCracken (1:08:10), Jimmy Graham (1:10:00), Naomi Hutchinson (1:11:41), Colin Wright (1:12:13), Mark Adair (1:12:18), Nigel McClintock (1:12:36), John McClelland (1:10:13), Daniel McClelland (1:12:05), Judith Worthington (1:13:39), James Rowan (1:14:18), Emma Lamberton (1:17:40), Nigel Davidson (1:17:40), Charlotte Gregg (1:18:35), Tanya Agnew (1:18:50), George Buckley (1:19:30), Robert Clyde (1:20:37), Paul Connolly (1:20:44), Nigel Bonar (1:20:42), Debbie Watters (1:21:49), Jim Moore (1:21:48), Sarah Woods (1:25:49), Heather McKelvey (1:26:37), Francis McGuigan (1:27:49), Pamela Davis (1:29:25), Katy Wright (1:30:26), Patricia MacRory (1:31:25), Jonathan Johnston (1:32:03), Sharon Stephens (1:32:25), Teresa Mark (1:33:18), Sara Beggs (1:33:41), Norman Stephens (1:34:21), Carmel McHugh (1:35:36), Alana Cameron (1:35:36), Stephanie Johnston (1:39:09), Stewart Rosborough (1:39:17), Brigid Quinn (1:42:46), Heather Birrell (1:50:02), Laura McMullan (1:59:07).
Tanya
As well as being a great run its own right, the Larne 10-mile event formed a good base for club runners with plans for marathons and half marathons later in the year.
In the build up to the race the club supported members with a special training programme. The normal club training schedule on Monday and Wednesday nights was enhanced with bespoke training runs on Sunday mornings designed for the 10-mile distance.
If you would like to find out more about Ballymena Runners – or to join us – please visit our website (www.ballymenarunners.org) where 2022/2023 membership is now open.