Hutchinson runs well in Malcolm Cup

Basked in glorious winter sunshine, Sixmilewater Park was the perfect setting for a day of competitive racing, which saw Larne scoop five awards.

The ladies and Vet 35+ men were first off and it was long-serving member Craig Hutchinson who led the red, black and white vests home, completing the tough, three-mile course in 17:15, securing fifth place overall and with it, first place in the Vet50 category. His club-mate, Greg Lavery, (17:22) followed in sixth place: enough to see him take second in the Vet35 category.

Nat Glenn made a welcome return to competition, clocking 17:27 (ninth), just ahead of recent International XC star Bernard Brady who crossed the line in 17:49 (12th place) to ensure a second-place finish in the Vet45 race. Andrew Guy (17:56) followed in 13th spot, before Mark McManus, racing competitively for the first time this season, ran an excellent 18:27 (19th place).

Andrew Gregg shook off his recent niggle to finish in 18:45 (24th place) and 3rd Vet45, while David Noble (47th place – 19:42) continued his good form to finish well up the field.

Geraldine Quigley (21:01) led the Larne AC ladies home, finishing as 17th lady before in-form Rhonda Brady (26th place - 21:59) took nearly four minutes off last year’s time on the same course. She was rewarded with second place in the Vet40 category. Lyndsey Haggan, tackling her first Cross Country race, ran strongly and completed the distance in 23:19 (44th place).

Wayne Morrow was the club’s only participant in the four-mile Male Open race, performing to his usual high standard, crossing the line in 23:59 (20th place). Meanwhile, Paul Tilson travelled to Belfast for the Waterworks parkrun. He completed the weekly 5km time-trial in 20:10.