Justin Maxwell scoops Athlete of the Year award at Larne AC dinner

Club chairman Andy Gregg welcomed club members and guests and gave a brief overview of the highlights of the club’s season. Special thanks were given to all those who have supported the club throughout the last year including sponsors Premier Power Limited, P&O Irish Sea and to The Wine Bar for their support of the Handicap Series. Thanks were extended to the club committee, members and friends without whose hard work events such as the Larne Half Marathon, the Knock Dhu Mountain Challenge Race, the Interclub Challenge Race or the Handicap Series could not have taken place.

Mr Gregg described the season as “another outstanding year for Larne Athletic Club”. Among the highlights he noted the team prize win in the Knock Dhu Mountain Challenge Race and in the ECOS 5-mile road race in June, the veteran ladies team’s debut at Stormont and the large contingent which competed in the Carnethy 5 Hill Race, near Edinburgh where Mark McManus finished as first overseas runner, the ladies team finishing 7th and the men 10th.

However, all these team performances were capped by a superb result in the Dublin Marathon, where nine Larne AC runners were led home by Justin Maxwell, with the Ladies Masters team finishing 9th and the Men’s Masters team an admirable 5th from 31, and first team from Northern Ireland

The Premier Power Half Marathon in March saw another record turnout of 730, including with 651 taking part in the main race - Ryan Maxwell was the first Larne finisher in 1:17:02. This year’s event already looks like overtaking that success, with over 700 already pre-entered.

With no international teams competing, the P&O Irish Sea Knock Dhu Mountain Race was run for the last time as a challenge event and attracted 50 competitors from local clubs. In a highlight to the year, the Interclub Challenge race in August attracted over 100 runners, with no fewer than 45 Larne AC runners taking part, the biggest turn-out in any event since the club began. This race saw a win for Beverley Gaston and for the Larne ladies team.

The large numbers were due primarily to the introduction of the new members group, which saw the club grow rapidly, and with much increased female membership. The initiative shown by Jenny Magill and Mark McManus, in making this happen ensured that Larne AC has been growing rapidly. Additionally, promoting running over a broad range of terrain and distances – 10Ks, marathons, mountains, trails, cross country and track – has ensured that not only has there been large turn-outs in handicap races, but that Larne AC has been represented in almost every local athletic event.

In addition to the team achievements, this has also brought individual success with wins for Nat Glenn in the Bellaghy 10K, James Brown in the Loughinisland 10K, Justin Maxwell in the Dervock Half Marathon and Causeway Coast 10K, Stephen Harkens in the Glenravel Glentathlon and Mark McManus in the Red Bay Memorial Race. Mark was also honoured with Northern Ireland team selection for the Commonwealth Mountain Running Championships at Keswick in September.

Finally, congratulations are due to Bernie Regan who won the Challenger Award in the Larne Borough Council Sports Awards, just one week ago.

Prize-winners:

n Phelim McAllister was the winner of the Elizabeth Sloan Trophy for the overall handicap series. Phelim finished 13th in the last race of the season at Ballygally, to win the series by a clear five points.

n There was a presentation to each of the fifteen runners who completed the Wine Bar sponsored series. The Handicap Series Wooden Spoon was won by Brian Spence, having completed more than the requisite six races – Brian can take comfort in the fact that no less than 54 club members took part in one or more races.

n The McManus Trophy for Merit in the Handicap Series was awarded to Paul Tilson. Paul was not just the only runner to complete all 10 races, but was the only runner to score six top-ten finishes, and completed the series in 3rd place overall.

n Stephen Harkens won this year’s Veteran of the Year Award. Stephen ran 34:45 in the Bangor 10K, 1:17:04 in the Lisburn Half Marathon and 2:46:58 in the Dublin Marathon – all personal bests by substantial margins. He moved up to the Vet 40 category during the year and also had a very successful season in duathlon and triathlon. Nat Glenn was runner-up having set numerous course PBs during the year including a time of 27:45 in the Ecos 5-Mile Road Race.

n Newcomer of the Year was awarded to Rhonda Montgomery, who with a lot of talent has shown commitment to training and has already taken part in a number of races. Runner-up was Ruth Wilson who also trains hard and was the only female beginner to complete the daunting Glenarm handicap.

n Amy Beggs was this season's Most Improved Athlete. Amy has made significant progress since 2008, completing the Scott and Gault 10-Mile road race in 86 minutes, ahead of more experienced runners, and also completed the Dublin Marathon in 4:13:17. Stephen McKenna was runner-up, joining the club after running 3:50 in the Belfast Marathon and reducing his time to 3:15 in Dublin.

n This year saw the introduction of a new category for Performance of the Year for which a new trophy, presented to the club by Billy Magee and originally used in the Knock Dhu Handicap Race, was awarded. Craig Hutchinson was the winner for his performance in the Lisburn Half Marathon which saw him win the Vet 45 Category in a time of 1:17:53.

n Jenny Magill and Mark McManus were jointly was awarded the trophy for Club Person of the Year. Between them they were largely responsible for the huge growth in the club, initiating the beginner’s group and working hard to make it happen. Introducing structured training plans, track sessions and a preparatory race they are now preparing a large number of the new members for their first Half Marathon.

n Female Athlete of the Year was awarded to Kerry Stafford whose times of 46:46 in the Jimmy’s 10K and 1:41:27 in the Newry Half Marathon were the fastest last year by a female club member. She competed in over 21 races prior to injury in the latter part of the year. She also took part in longer mountain events, including Black Mountain and the Wicklow Way.

n Jenny Magill was runner-up, who despite not racing since Lurig last August had already notched up at least 17 races, mainly in the mountains and finished 4th Female Overall in the NIMRA Mountain Running Championships.

nJustin Maxwell won the award for Athlete of the Year for the second time in succession. Justin set the club’s fastest times last year in 10K (33:33), half marathon (1:14:50 and marathon (2:42:57). He performed well on the roads, trails - particularly the East Antrim Trail Series - and also in the mountains, completing the NIMRA Championship and finishing 10th Overall in the NIMRA Grand Prix Series. Having run more than 30 races he capped his season with wins in the Dervock Half Marathon and the Causeway Coast 10K.

n Ryan Maxwell was runner-up, having enhanced the club reputation by finishing all six races in the Championchip Half Marathon Series. He ran under 35 minutes for 10K and achieved the club’s fastest time last year over 5K (16:38).