Robin Takes Larne Half Marathon

A good run by Cambridge University Captain Robin Brown earned him first place when the first half marathon of the year took place in Larne on Saturday with a thousand or so runners. On a bright dry but very windy day, Robin went round the coastal route in a steady 72:33 min, his first time over the distance, 23 and 26 secs ahead of Simon Taylor (Abbey) and Francis Marsh who with a pb was 3rd overall and top vet. Along with James Budde in 15th and Nick Arkensparr in 36th, Robin and Francis were 2nd in the four-to-count team race behind North Belfast Harriers, a feat matched by the club girls where Julie Balmer, Roberta Dornan, Stephanie Hambling and Ali Robinson were also 2nd to NBH. 

Roberta and Stephanie were also 2nd in the F35 and F40 categories as was Les Wilkinson at M50 while evergreen Fred Murdock 1st at M65. Robin and Julie  set new club records for the distance.The club continues to show big improvements in the endurance events with 22 finishers in the event, collecting a load of pbs and improved rankings. The Larne event was the first one in the Champion Chip Half Marathon Series and set the standard for the remainder. The series, in which the Female Open winner in 2009 was Roberta Dornan, continues in Omagh next week.

Club Results