Queen’s 5k, 02/04/25
The annual Queen’s 5k race saw over 1000 runners on the roads around the Stranmillis and Annadale embankments finishing at the Queen’s University PE Centre. This year the Queen’s 5k once again hosted the NI & Ulster 5k Championships.
The first race of the evening was the 3k race with superb performances from Carter Rolston (15th) 10:13 and Sebastian Mair (18th) 10:16.
Carter
Sebastian
Sophie Rankin was the 5th girl home in 28th place in 10:46 followed by Coco Smith 11:15, Caitlyn Dickenson 11:21, Maia Johnston 11:38, Abbie S 12:03, Adam Downey 12:51 and Nicola Downey 12:53 with a 3k PB.
In the elite, sub-20 minute race Craig McMeechan finished 2nd in a PB of 14:19. Daniel Dines was 28th in 15:21. Oliver Playfair 16:04, both also collecting PBs. Finn Johnson was the next club finisher in 16:06 followed closely by James Budde 16:25. Luke McDowell 16:27, Jamie McMeechan 16:41, Mickael Le Nu 16:50 (PB) and Nick Irvine 16:59 all finished inside 17 minutes. Aaron Beggs also claimed a new PB in 17:27 followed by Alan McConnell 17:41, David Massey 17:54 and Jonathan Gibson 17:59. Tara McDonough was the first NDAC girl across the line in a PB of 18:20 while Aaron McAuley 18:22, Mark Carberry 18:56, Philip Mulligan 19:13 and Luke Dobson 19:21 all ran strongly.
Several North Down Ac athletes missed the earlier start of the first race and raced in the second 5k. Francis Marsh was 1st M55 in 17:34 in 8th place. Fiona McQuillan was 1st F40 in 19:32 and Clair Quigley was 2nd F45 in 19:45. Lisa Tomalin finished inside 20 minutes in 19:55 with Luke Hamilton claiming a sub-20 minute 5k PB in 19:58. Valerie McDonough 20:16 was 2nd F50 with Keith Gilmore 20:33, Stephanie Graham 20:45 and Lindsay Doulton 20:50 close behind. Olivia Cumming was the next NDAC finisher in 21:25 followed by Gerard Adair 21:31, Claire Scott 22:21, Heather Beattie 22:32 (PB), Wendy Neilly 22:32 (PB) and Marion Beattie 23:53. Katlyn Massey’s 23:06 was a PB and she was followed by Paula Simpson 23:45, George Emerson 30:43 and Pat O’Driscoll 33:49.
In the team competition the North Down AC women finished 5th while the men came 4th.
https://www.championchipireland.com/index.html#results
Westport Half Marathon, 05/04/25
North Down AC’s Roberta Dornan ran one of the most scenic half marathons in Ireland on Saturday 5th April; the Westport half marathon started in the Co Mayo town and followed a route showing runners some of the islands in Clew Bay and views of Croagh Patrick before finishing back in Westport. Roberta clearly didn’t hang around to enjoy the coastal views, finishing the half marathon in 1:43:06 and 3rd F50.
Prague Half Marathon, 05/04/25
North Down AC’s Emma Fox continued her quest to complete the Super Six series of half marathons in Lisbon, Berlin, Copenhagen, Cardiff, Valencia and Prague. Emma raced through the historical streets and over the bridges taking in the stunning architecture of the Czech capital in perfect sunny, dry running conditions on Saturday 5th April, completing the race in 1:48:25.
Emma Fox
Florida Manor 12 hour endurance challenge, 05/04/25
Offering options of 3 hours, 6 hours and 12 hour challenges, the latest Gaithouse Events race saw runners race as many laps of a little over 3 miles as possible on varied terrains around the roads and trails in the grounds of Florida Manor near Killinchy. New club member, Mark Walker who is no stranger to many of the club’s endurance runners, naturally tackled the 12 hour event. Mark finished first completing 24 laps for 73.1 miles in 11 hours and 5 minutes. His nearest competitor completed 19 laps.
https://gaithouseevents.com/results/
Two Oceans Marathon, 05/04/25
Another new club member, Matthew Norman, completed one of the world’s most iconic ultramarathons, the Two Oceans Marathon in South Africa on Saturday 5th April. The race starts in Newlands on the Indian Ocean in the Cape Province and passes along the spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive through Hout Bay to Cape Town on the Atlantic coast. Matthew competed the 56km course in 5:12.
Belfast Zoo 5k, 06/04/25
“Someone told me it’s all happening at the zoo,” sang Simon and Garfunkel. Whether “monkeys stand for honesty” or “giraffes are insincere” is debatable, but undoubtedly “the animals will love it if you do” race 5k up and down the hills at Belfast Zoo’s annual 5k race. 6 North Down AC members headed to Cavehill on Sunday morning for one of the hilliest and most unique 5k races in the calendar; Carter Rolston was first of the NDAC finishers in 7th place in 21:14, Caitlyn Dickenson was 2nd female in 23:50. Carter’s and Caitlyn’s times were even more impressive as marshals misdirected the lead runners causing them to run a longer course than most of those who finished behind them! Sarah Gibson ran 24:41 and Paula Simpson was 1st F55 in 27:25 while Kim McCourt 36:14 and Jennifer Johnston 37:04 monkeyed around at a much more relaxed pace.
https://www.championchipireland.com/index.html#results
Caitlyn 2nd
London Landmarks Half Marathon, 06/04/25
Susan Black joined the long list of club members achieving a PB this week as she raced the London Landmarks Half Marathon . The race through the heart of Westminster and the City of London starts near Nelson’s Column and takes in most of the capital’s best known landmarks before the finish near Downing Street. Susan finished in a PB of 1:40:14.
Omagh Half Marathon, 06/04/25
The Omagh half marathon has long been a regular fixture in the local running calendar, now in its 35th year. 3996 runners finished the 5k and half marathon routes on Sunday 6th April. 8 North Down AC runners tackled the half marathon course taking a long loop from the town through the rolling Co Tyrone countryside.
Clair Quigley was the first of the NDAC finishers in 1:30:18. Matt Ormesher ran his second half marathon in a fortnight setting a new PB of 1:37:10 closely followed by Jill Connolly who also recorded a PB of 1:38:17. Sarah Wilson finished in 1:43:53 ahead of Marion Beattie and Christopher Ballentine with identical chip times of 1:50:36. This time was a new PB for Marion – her second PB in 4 days at 2 different distances! Sinead Mooney ran 2:27:26 before Nicole Bell 2:28:10 rounded off the club’s finishers.
https://www.myrunresults.com/events/35th_spar_omagh_half_marathon__5k/5518/results
