Sun, Sea & Larne Half Marathon

On Saturday 22nd March there were 15 NDAC members competing in Larne Half Marathon. For some it was a marathon training exercise and for others it was an opportunity to open the half marathon season. Pat was already ahead of the game on this having competed in Carlingford half earlier in the month. Although breezy for those out front the conditions were perfect for a coastal race. This is reflected in our results with a couple of good PB’s and two top ten finishers for the club. Stephen Wylie set off at a brisk pace to battle for 3rd in the opening stages of the race, however this early pace may have taken its toll and Dennis Scott passed him in the last mile to take 5th place (1:13:44 PB) Stephen finished in 7th  (01:14:27). Next PB was for Ben Caughers in 33rd place (01:21:34). The rest of the squad followed soon after including two new members Fiona McQuillan (1:39:30) and Colin Walker (01:35:06), a first half marathon for Colin and indeed also for Clare Russell (02:12:58) and Eamon O’Reilly (01:44:00). Deep in preparation for Marathons this spring, Lisa Leonard (02:00:50), Gemma McAnirn (01:58:41 pb) and Janet Toal (01:59:38) finished in a close group. Pat O’Driscoll (02:09:45), Michael Roberts (01:43:46), Robert Martin (01:47:50), Paul Galloway (01:39:13) and John McGarvey (01:55:08) brought some experience to the event and were on hand to impart some of their knowledge to the newbies after tackling the challenge themselves! Thanks to Larne AC for fantastic hospitality and a great race. All North Down AC finishers can be found below and full results can be found here.