A busy weekend of racing started on Friday evening with the popular Runher events taking place on the North Down coastal path, finishing at Crawfordsburn country park. The 10K race started at Seapark near Holywood and the 5K at Rockport. Jessica Craig had a convincing win in the 5K race finishing in 18:46. Jodi Smith arrived in Crawfordsburn in 2nd place recording 20:03 and Sarah Lindsay made it a clean sweep of podium finishes for North Down, completing the 5K in 20:35. Junior athlete Ella Andrews also ran very well to finish 12th in 26:11.
http://www.nirunning.co.uk/Coastal%20Challenge%205k%20Result.pdf
North Down AC were well represented in the 10K race where Fiona McQuillan came 5th with 42:11, followed closely by Catherine Roberts in 7th, 42:26 and Sarah Benton a minute later in 43:26 claiming 11th spot. Julie Balmer, Ali Robinson and Helen Byers were next of the many North Down runners within the 860 plus field.
http://www.nirunning.co.uk/PDF%20AMENDED%20Coastal%20Challenge%2010k%20Result%20PDF-1.pdf
Also on Friday evening Albertville Harriers hosted a 4 mile road race within Duncrue Industrial estate which is a revised version of the previously well known Albertville 5. The damp weather did nothing to improve the scenery around the industrial estate but this didn’t hamper James Budde from cruising to a clear 38 second victory with 21:01. Gareth Watton continued his good form with a 9th place finish in 22:59 and Darren Hamilton followed with a strong 14th place in 23:24, Nick Irvine finished 25 seconds later in 20th, 23:49. Simon Sexton made it round the course in 27:16 with Helen Sexton finishing in 33:48 and Pat O’Driscoll recording 36:41.
http://www.nirunning.co.uk/Albertville%204%20Mile%20Result.xls
By Saturday afternoon the weather had improved for the 4th annual Jengana 10K. Held in the confines of the Shanes Castle estate the event is in support of the Jengana charity which aims to improve the lives of the under privileged in Kenya. Dennis Scott is an active supporter of the charity and so it was quite apt that he should take the honours at Shanes Castle. Coming home in 34:12 Dennis found himself 25 seconds clear of his nearest challenger. Well done to our three race winners this weekend and to everyone who took part.
http://www.nirunning.co.uk/Jengana%202016%2010km.xls