Larne AC: About

Next Fixtures

Ballygally Handicap
11/2/12

Roe Valley Country Park Trail Run
18/2/12

About Larne AC

Brief History
Larne Athletic Club was formed in 1988. At that time, road running and in particular, 10K's, half marathons and full marathons, were very popular. Consequently a number of local runners were training on a regular basis. Gradually small groups formed and two of these entered teams in the 1988 Larne relay races. This provided the competitive edge and interest in getting together and forming a club based in Larne.

A meeting for all those interested was convened and held in the McNeill Hall in early October. All were agreed that a club should be formed and a steering committee was elected.

Members elected were:

		Chairman	Keith Millar

		Secretary	George Dummigan

		Treasurer	Chris Cassiday

		Race Secretary	Billy Magee

				John Agnew

Other pioneer members were; Jimmy McAllister, George Sloan, John McAllister, Ford Buchanan, Noel Greenlee, Paddy Kemp, John Barkley, Kenny McVicker and Kevin McRandal.

An application to affiliate with the Northern Ireland Amateur Athletic Association was prepared and forwarded. On 20th October 1988 the application was considered at the Association Council monthly meeting and as a result Larne Athletic Club was accepted as an affiliated club.

Club colours and design of the running strip were agreed and ordered. The first official outing with our new strip was in the Larne Rugby Club five mile road race on Boxing Day 1988. This was to prove a successful start with the male veteran team of Jimmy McAllister, Billy Magee and George Sloan winning the veterans team prize.

The first venture into competitive running was at the Brooks International cross country at Mallusk in January 1989. Teams were entered in both the Open and Veteran events.

Club membership has fluctuated since those early days with a peak of around fifty in the early nineties to a low of fifteen in 1999. Recent events have seen a renewed interest and current membership is over one hundred runners.

During the twenty year period the club has supported and participated in many disciplines within the sport, namely:

	Road running

	Cross country running

	Track and field athletics

	Indoor athletics

	Mountain running

	Triathlon / Duathlon

	Ultra Marathons

Promoting Events
Larne Athletic Club has been active in supporting local athletics and has promoted a number of events including:

        Duathlon

        Series of  forest races.

        Larne Half Marathon.

        Larne Road Relay races.

        International Mountain race.

The last three events are very popular and are still on the athletic calendar.We also organise a handicap race series, which includes ten races each year. This is usually for club runners although guests are always welcome. Runners six best finishing places count towards the overall
placings at the end of the season.

Charities
Through our promoting of events and general participation in other activities we have supported a range of charities including:

	Children in Need

	CACTI – Care and Comfort for the Terminally Ill

	The Northern Ireland Hospice

	Cancer Research

	The Oxygen Therapy Centre

Sponsorship
The club has been very fortunate to receive sponsorship from many companies and individuals throughout the period since our formation,namely:

	Ian McKee – Larne Skip Hire

	Stena Sealink

	Ian McKay - Calor Gas

	Larne Borough Council

	Jim Elliott – Crafty Copy, Larne.

	First Trust Bank

	David Courtney - Johnston & Courtney Solicitors, Larne.

	P & O Irish Sea

                     Premier Power Limited

                     Wincanton

Chekkers Winebar

Honours
Club members have won championship events and have represented Northern Ireland in various athletic activities:

Paula McAllister

	N.I. Minor Girls cross-country champion.

Paula McAllister, Angela Johnston, Teresa Cash, Michelle Maguire &

Kirsty Sharratt

	N.I. Minor Girls cross-country team winners.

Jimmy McAllister 

	N.I. Veterans cross-country team.

Mark McManus 

	N.I. Junior mountain-running team in World Championships.

        N.I. Senior mountain-running team.

Ian Barr

	N.I. Junior mountain-running team in World Championships.

Peter Howie

	N.I. Senior mountain-running team in World Championships.

	N.I. Veterans mountain-running team.

Andy Gregg

	N.I. Senior mountain-running team.

                N.I. Veterans  mountain-running team.

Billy Magee

	N.I. Veterans  mountain-running team.

	N.I. Veterans cross-country team.

Brian Campbell

	N.I. Junior cross-country championship runner-up.

	N.I. Senior cross-country team.

	All Ireland Triathlon champion.

Brendan O'Boyle

                N.I. Under 18 mountain running team.

                N.I. Under 20 mountain running team.

Cahal McAuley 

                N.I. Veterans mountain running team

Craig Hutchinson 

                N.I. Veterans Cross-Country Team

Nat Glenn 

                N.I. Veterans Cross-Country Team

Davy Clarke 

                N.I. Veterans Cross-Country Team

Constitution
The club has operates under a formal Constitution adopted in March 1989.