Ballymena Runners enjoyed Race 3, the final one, of the excellently organised trail series last night. So well organised that they even supplied midge repellent at registration!
The final race turned the tables by being an anticlockwise 5 mile course around the top two reservoirs. The route was on forest tracks and trails, including a lovely one right beside the upper reservoir. There were some fun technical descents but, what goes down must go up and that it did in the final kilometre to the finish.
There was a greater spread between the front runners this week but ever consistent James Hamilton lead the race home in 27:39 followed by Tony Scullion in 29:05. This week Ricky McKnight of PACE Running Club was third.
The women’s race was won comfortably by Elisoa Crawford of North Belfast Harriers. Paula Worthington finished a strong second in 34:10 and Karen Wilton of Jog Lisburn was third.
Well done to our runners who attended all or most of the series. Charlotte, Darren, Gemma, Geraldine, James, John, Nena, Patricia, Paula, Robert, Susanna and Tony.
A great sense of accomplishment was felt by everyone even if we need time to forget the ever present hill to the finish.
Consistency and hard effort from Ballymena Runners was rewarded by the series winners as follows marking top three overall and first in age groups. Paula Worthington 1st Female Gemma Clyde FJ Geraldine Quigley F45 Susanna Allen F60 James Hamilton 1st MaleTony Scullion 2nd Male John Hasson M50.
Well done too to club friend Peter Hamilton as M55 winner.
And with the great performances it was no suprise that the club easily won the team competition. The prize winnings were donated to the charity race Geraldine is helping organise Sunday 11 June in Ballymena in aid of We are Macmillan Cancer Support and Believe in Children Barnardos.
Finally, thank you to Robert McGaughey for the support and photos.