ATHLETICS: Larne contingent descend on Dundrum

Larne Athletic Club at the Great Dundrum Run. INLT 43-908-CON

The eight-mile race, which takes runners along coastal roads, boardwalks and a gruelling two-mile stretch along Murlough beach.

First home for the club was Phelim McAllister in 49:57 which saw him finish in 11th place. Billy Thompson finished in 51:11, followed by Phil McNeill in 54:00.

Andy Gregg and Brian Heron ran 54:56 and 55:20 respectively, followed by the ever-improving Bobbie Garrett in 56.33.

Bryan Magee clocked 57:31 and Bobby Boal timed 1:02:35. Martan Keane and David Noble finished together in 1:05.02.

Gillian Logan was Larne’s AC’s first female finisher in 1:06.27, followed by Janine Rainey in 1:07.22. Rhonda Montgomery was next in 1:08.40, with Steven Reid crossing the line in 1:09.13.

Juliane Keane and Linda Boyd timed 1:10.21 and 1:10.26, while Mandy Johnston and Elaine Hall had a sprint finish with times of 1:11.50 and 1:11.53. Emily Boal, Clare McGuinness and Paul Magee completed the club contingent with times of 1:19.04, 1:20.07 and 1:36.16

Conditions were perfect for Saturday’s Northern Ireland Masters XC team trials. On a crisp autumn morning, four Larne AC men travelled to QUB grounds to battle it out for a place on the team.

The races were all very fast and exciting from the off and the male vet 50s had an unbelievable battle over the last two laps. However, in the last 50 metres Craig Hutchinson broke off and was the first to cross the line (MV50, 28:18) with Bernard Brady hot on his heels in second (MV50, 28:19). John Neill was next to finish (MV35, 29:42).

Charlie Meban had to pull out on the first lap after pulling his calf muscle. However, despite his injury, he has beencalled up to the MV65 team.

Larne AC would like to congratulate Brady, Meban and Hutchinson on being selected to represent Northern Ireland at the British and Irish Masters Championships in November.

Meanwhile, Eddie Finn ran a marathon in Greenisland on Sunday as part of the East Anrim Marathon Series. It was his fourth marathon in a month, having previously ran in another East Antrim Marathon Series race and two marathons in County Monaghan.

Eddie smashed his previous personal best by a full eight minutes finishing in 4:08. It was Eddie’s 17th marathon this year and 22nd marathon since he took up running six years ago.