Julie Balmer was a popular winner in Newtownards on Friday evening when she retained her Ards Half Marathon title from a strong womens field in 85:45 min. This year the event also doubled as the Athletics NI Half Marathon Championship, a title which Julie adds to her NI Marathon title in Belfast back in May. Julie, long with Jill Aicken and Sarah Benton, also collected silver for North Down AC in the Team Championship, North Belfast finishing first. Francis Marsh had an excellent result in the mens race, finishing 5th overall in 75:49 min and first veteran.
In pleasant conditions, the runners covered the hilly course from Ards Leisure Centre towards Comber and back including the country roads on Scrabo slopes. Paul Pollock (Annadale Striders) won the race in 67:46 from Kenyan Freddy Sittuk in 68:48 and Keith Shiels (Foyle) in 69:32. Julie won from Kelly Neeley (Lisburn) and Karen Alexander (Springwell) in 86:46 and 87:14.
North Belfast won the Mens Team Championship from their own B team and Willowfield and the Ladies Teams were North Belfast, North Down and Murlough.
North Down Results
|
Pos |
No |
Athlete |
Cat |
Finish |
Halfway |
Chiptime |
M/F Pos |
Cat Pos |
|
Female |
||||||||
|
27 |
314 |
Julie Balmer |
FO |
1:25:46 |
42:33 |
1:25:45 |
1 |
1 |
|
160 |
300 |
Jill Aicken |
F40 |
1:39:54 |
49:08 |
1:39:49 |
13 |
6 |
|
200 |
251 |
Sarah Benton |
F40 |
1:42:53 |
52:29 |
1:42:45 |
21 |
7 |
|
234 |
211 |
Helen Ryan |
FO |
1:46:51 |
53:25 |
1:46:38 |
25 |
16 |
|
Male |
||||||||
|
7 |
125 |
Francis Marsh |
M45 |
1:15:49 |
38:49 |
1:15:49 |
5 |
1 |
|
172 |
196 |
Stephen Wise |
M50 |
1:40:49 |
48:58 |
1:40:45 |
156 |
7 |
|
208 |
158 |
Oscar Sanchez |
MO |
1:43:48 |
52:10 |
1:43:42 |
185 |
103 |
|
233 |
315 |
David Balmer |
MO |
1:46:48 |
53:54 |
1:46:40 |
207 |
116 |
|
480 |
48 |
Pat O’Driscoll |
M65 |
2:07:59 |
1:06:39 |
2:07:24 |
388 |
2 |