|
25th July - Cookstown Half Marathon |
|
3 Larne AC runners took part in round 6 of the ChampionChip Half Marathon series which was held in Cookstown on Sunday 25th July. With grey cloud overhead and the occasional shower to cool down the runners conditions were good for the 400-odd competitors.
Cookstown has quickly developed a reputation as one of the harder half marathons on the local circuit with a course that meanders through the undulating Co Tyrone countryside, before moving along the town's long wide main street and finishing on a hilly section on the outskirts just to the south of the town.
With the Dervock Half also being held the same weekend (well done Justin) some of the leading half marathon runners were missing from the field which left it a more open competition than previous races in the series. First to finish this year, in a time of 1:12:39 was last year's runner up, Omagh Harriers' Owen Gahan. The first female home was North Belfast’s Lisa Tracey in a time of 1:28:40.
1st home for Larne AC and in 13th place overall was Bernard Brady. Bernard set off with a fast paced group of runners and though he struggled a bit during the latter stages of the race did well to hold on to post a new pb of 1:22:46. Next to cross the tape in 16th place was Phelim McAllister. This was Phelims 1st road race since competing in this year's Belfast marathon and though he started off at a relatively conservative pace he finished strongly and also recorded a new pb - 1:25:05. Paul Tilson was the 3rd and final Larne runners to complete the course, finishing in a time of 1:32:47. Paul has now completed 6 of the 7 races in the series (a feat only matched by a handful of runners) and though he didn't post a pb, the elusive 1hr 30 target must surely be in serious danger the next time Paul competes on a less demanding half marathon circuit. I'd say Waterside on the 12th Sept is firmly etched in Paul's diary.
The runners would like to thank Rhonda Brady for her encouragement and support and hope to see her make a speedy recovery from her latest injury.
Full results are available from the Results tab.
There now…Cookstown report all done and didn't use the word "sizzle" once!
|
Results |
| |
