A record number of runners took part in this years’ race which is the 2nd in the half marathon series. 25 of this number were North Down members, and that is excluding the relay team, Doing Larne The Easy Way, who finished 10th out of 42 teams.
Ben Caughers was our first athlete home in 15th position with an excellent time of 1:18:57. Colin Walker, completing his 3rd race in 7 days, was next on 1:27:03 with Les Wilkinson tracking him in 1:27:11. Steve Wise showing good form completed in 1:28:42, while Eamon O’Reilly 1:29:11, Alan Massey – multi racer – 1:29:20 and Terry Eakin 1:29:34 all finished under the 90 minute barrier.
Fiona McQuillan finished in 1:33:22 and with it the honour of first ND female and overall 13th female which is a fantastic achievement. Keith Gilmore 1:34:01 and Catherine Roberts 1:34:12 returned close behind with Frankie Rea a minute further back in 1:35:07, and Robert Martin – assuming the identity of Derek Talbot for the race in 1:36:26.
Philip Mulligan, another of our frequent racers, was next in 1:35:32 before our next female arrived, Valerie McDonough in 1:36:43. Paul Galloway and Helen Byers were next finishing closely on 1:42:35 and 1:42:48.
The remaining North Down athletes who enjoyed the successfully organised event were:
Helen Ryan 1:48:55
James Barr 1:49:31
Lindsay Doulton 1:50:16
Trevor Patterson 1:50:28
Melanie Patton 1:56:28
Marie Devine 1:59:46
Clare Russell 2:00:49
Alison Wise 2:10:42
Pat O’Driscoll 2:40:32