Athletics: Acorns stand tall at Omagh Half Marathon

Wind and rain could not deter a strong squad of mighty Oaks from the Omagh half marathon and 5k.
From left, Judith Newell, Olivia Moore, Jacqueline Cahoon, Elaine Hargan and Teresa Mulligan delighted too have finished Omagh HalfFrom left, Judith Newell, Olivia Moore, Jacqueline Cahoon, Elaine Hargan and Teresa Mulligan delighted too have finished Omagh Half
From left, Judith Newell, Olivia Moore, Jacqueline Cahoon, Elaine Hargan and Teresa Mulligan delighted too have finished Omagh Half

First to finish in the half marathon with a great time of 1.20.33 was Sam Linton, a great practice race for Sam as he heads into the taper for the London Marathon.

Eoin Hughes had another strong run after his great time at Larne half last week, coming in at 1.22.51, even though he had a touch of flu during the week. Marty Loughran continued his return to fitness coming in just behind in 1.25.

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He was closely followed by the ever reliable Fergal Mulgrew in 1.27.24 and Marty Foster in a great time of 1.29.20. Thomas Bell, just back from getting married, had a PB of 1.41.38, just pipping Ryan Marron to the line. Ryan also had a PB in 1.41.42.

First of the Acorn ladies to finish was Anne-Marie McKernan who was trying to catch her husband Don, running abit ahead of her. She didn’t catch him this time, but she will next time. Anne-Marie finished with a PB time of 1.41.58.

Sandra McKeown was next in with a PB of 1.43.16. Wind, rain, hail or snow, Sandra is always smiling through it!

The next three ladies - Leanne Sands, Lisa Simpson and Stacey Hinfey - to finish worked together around the course and crossed the line together all with the PB time of 1.45.19. This was Leanne’s and Lisa’s first half marathon and they were closely followed by Don Brownlee in a PB time of 1.45.39. Don is in great form and like Sam he was using Omagh as his practice race before the London Marathon.

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Next in was our lady captain, Rosemary Hargan, in 1.47.56. Rosie was getting in some `secret training` before her training partner John returns from his travels with another list of races to tackle!

Following Rosie was Colin Thom in a 1.48.31 PB. This was Colin’s third half marathon in a month. Edel McGuckin was next in with a course PB of 1.49.57 and cut a massive eight minutes off her time last year!

After Edel, and all with PBs, were Joe McKindless 1.54.12, Olivia Moore 1.57.11, Jacqueline Cahoon 1.59.58, Judith Newell 2.00.17, Teresa Mulligan 2.01.26 and, with four minutes off her last PB, Elaine Hargan in 2.04.23.

Well done to Cathaoir Purvis who, in continuing his rich run of form, won the Omagh 5k in a tight finish with only 10 seconds separating first and second. It was also a PB for Cathaoir winning in 17.23.

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Also running the 5k was Edel Kidd who is returning too fitness after being injured. Edel ran in 27.56.

CARDIFF HALF MARATHON

Congratulations to Acorn Karen Alexander who was selected to run for the Northern Ireland team in the World Half marathon Championships in Cardiff.

In deteriorating conditions with driving rain and wind, Karen battled through to finish in a great time of 1.23.19.

It was an eventful race which saw eventual winner Geoffrey Kamworor of Kenya fall at the start, pick himself up and then chase down the leading pack to finish winner in 59.10. In doing so he won his third world championship in a row.

MUSSENDEN 10K

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Hosted by TVW Sports and starting at the Peter Thompson Hall in Castlerock, the challenging 10k course is a mixture of road, beach and cross country.

From the hall the runners turn right onto Sea Road and head down Mussenden Road towards Downhill.

Running around the Bishop’s Castle and Mussenden Temple, the terrain turns to cross country. Past the caravan park, they turn onto the beach where, on reaching the pier, they turn around and make their way back to the beach exit. Then it is up the road to the finish line at Peter Thompson Hall.

Well done to Acorn Les Maneely who finished the course in 45.34.

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Congratulations to the Acorns who took part in the Benone beach run in memory of loved ones lost to chest, heart or stroke illness, or to members of runners families living with these conditions every day. There was a 5k run and a 10k run on the day.

Acorns Lisa Devine, Wendy Wensley, Sandra Smyth, and Fiona Greeves took part.

ANTRIM PARKRUN

Kevin Bigmore 19.25

Chris Larkin 24.09

Owen Coogan 28.15

Mary Martin 33.01

LIMAVADY PARKRUN

Diarmuid O’Kane 17.54

MUSA PARKRUN

Darrell McKee 16.54 (1st)

Glen Donnelly 17.09

Cathal Cassidy 18.07 PB

Pat Groogan 19.25

Roger McClean 19.25

Alan Shaw 19.47

Gary McGuckin 20.10

Brian Thom 20.26

Niall Hassan 20.28 PB

Andrew Shaw 21.41

Irwin Spiers 23.03

Patrice Fitou 23.47

Damien Kelly 23.58

Nigel Stockman 25.38

Diane Carey 26.19

Denise Wright 27.17

Judith Black 27.51

Leona Davidson 27.55

Andra McKeown 29.24

Charlotte Turner 31.30 PB

Caroline Kelly 31.49

Helen Steenson 35.51

UPCOMING FIXTURES

Saturday 2 April

Killylane Klassic 5 mile

Trail Race

Belfast Runher Delamont

5k and 10k

Could all members ensure that club registration fees are paid ASAP. Training takes place at MUSA on Tuesday and Thursday at 6.30pm and at Meadowbank on Monday at 6.30pm and Wednesday at 7.30pm.

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